Jordan Brudenell - Alumna 2013

Jordan Brudenell attended Queen Anne's School between 2006-2013. Here is an account of her journey since leaving QAS.

"I always knew I had a creative brain over an academic one but initially I struggled to figure out where to best direct my energy. Whilst at school, I divided my time between hiding under the tables in the prep room to write poetry or spending hours daydreaming about becoming an actor, painter, or even a dancer after having performed a "rock ballet" routine to Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Tricky" in our school talent show! As I said, I found myself feeling a bit confused about which path to pursue.

After leaving Queen Anne's, I enrolled at Loughborough University to study Art Foundation, specialising in Fashion and Textiles. I must admit, I spent a significant portion of my time there goofing around, ‘sewing hair onto things and flinging stuff onto canvas boards’. Needless to say, after completing my first year at Loughborough, I still felt somewhat lost.

In search of direction, I embarked on a few months of travel to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa where I engaged in volunteer work and met some amazing people. Being fond of drawing, I decided to teach myself how to use Adobe Illustrator during my time abroad.

My newfound skill prompted me to apply, rather spontaneously through clearing, to study graphic communication at Bath Spa University. Finally, I felt a genuine connection to something I truly loved; I worked hard, achieved high grades but also had lots of fun, relishing in the process of creating music videos, magazines, and lookbooks.

Throughout my time at Bath Spa, I set up and ran a Dance Society, but I also worked within a diverse range of jobs. From engaging in creative freelance work for companies like Curious PR and Nauteas tea, to teaching dance routines at children's birthday parties, working at a bar and café, and as a steward at Bath Rugby club.

All these opportunities allowed me to gradually save enough money to further my love of travel, as I knew I wanted to explore the world again before committing to a permanent job. So with this in mind, I set off once again, this time to Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka.

Upon completing my degree, I made the decision to embark on a freelance career. I formed working relationships with several musicians, including the talented singer-songwriter Empara Mi, designing her album artwork which was displayed on billboards across London.

I revisited a project I had initiated at university creating a lookbook for an imaginary brand. This project eventually evolved into my own personal business known as Adopted Threads; a sustainable lifestyle fashion brand and platform to support and connect creative individuals. Working alongside six different designers, we work to upcycle unique garments.

During this period, I had the fortune of crossing paths with British photographer and artist Miles Aldridge. What began as an internship swiftly transformed into an opportunity for me to move to London and assume the role of his Studio Manager. Here I oversaw a small team of employees and freelancers, working alongside Miles for a period of two and a half years.

However, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team was disbanded, until just Miles and myself remained, so I decided it was time to move to a position within a larger organisation.

I joined award-winning production company, Kode Media as a Studio Manager. Whilst in this role, I have organised and hosted a range of events, including a MIND charity fundraising event and Kode's 10 Year Birthday Party, which hosted 600 people at a venue in London Bridge. I am hoping to delve deeper into the creative side of things, and perhaps, one day, establish my own creative space.

I hope my journey to get here illustrates that discovering the right path is not always straightforward or easy, but I would advise you to trust your instincts. You never know which doors will open along the way and what you will learn about yourself; what your true passions are, and what you may and may not enjoy."

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