Where Are They Now? with Grace Brydge
Where Are They Now? with Grace Brydge
By Audrey Cooper — October 23, 2025
Grace Brydge’s journey from the Square Magazine creative team at the University of Mississippi to studying brand management in Florence, Italy, is a testament to her courage and pursuit to follow her passion wherever it leads, regardless of how far.
“My love for fashion started at a very young age, there are photographs of me as a toddler gallivanting around in my mom’s heels, along with pictures of me in elementary school putting on ‘fashion shows’ for my friends and family—decked out in as many accessories as I could possibly fit on my body. Fashion has always been fun for me, and I’ve loved dressing up for as long as I can remember,” Brydge said.
During her senior year at the University of Mississippi, Brydge joined Square Magazine’s creative team while pursuing a psychology degree. She graduated in May 2024.
“Square provided me with a creative outlet amidst the craziness of college life as well as an atmosphere where I felt my opinion was really valued,” Brydge said.
As graduation approached, Brydge began exploring post-grad opportunities that revolved around fashion.
“Through rigorous Google searching, I stumbled upon Polimoda, a private fashion school in Florence, Italy. It struck me that my options weren’t limited to the U.S., especially in fashion. I had studied abroad in Florence during my junior year of college and knew I could see myself living there,” Brydge said.
After connecting with a former Ole Miss student who spoke highly of Polimoda, Brydge was convinced. That fall, she enrolled in the school’s Brand Management program, which emphasizes hands-on experience through trips to trade fairs, fashion shows, companies, and corporate museums.
“While I learned so much at Polimoda, I learned even more about myself,” Brydge said. “A quote I truly believe in—and that has shaped the way I look at the world—reads, ‘Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.’ I learned how life unfolds when you choose to be courageous, and in turn, my confidence grew tremendously throughout my time in Italy.”
Moving abroad alone came with challenges, but also empowerment.
“It was incredible to realize that I could navigate so many unknowns—leaving my life behind and moving to another country alone to pursue my degree,” Brydge said. “I thought to myself, ‘I can do anything for a year!’”
Brydge’s time in Florence didn’t just shape her professionally; it evolved her sense of style.
“I have always liked to feel good in whatever I am wearing… some days that may look more bohemian or edgy, and other days more polished. I’m always looking for staples with a funky twist—pieces I can wear over and over that still stand out.”
The city itself became a muse for Brydge.
“Living in a walkable city and attending school with students from all over the world, I was pulling inspiration from everyone and everything around me,” Brydge said. “I felt I had more freedom in my fashion choices going to school where you could show up to class in anything you could possibly dream of.”
One of Brydge’s favorite memories from her time abroad was her graduation celebration after finishing her classes at Polimoda.
“My classmate—and now dear friend—hosted a party on her terrace overlooking the Arno River. We danced, laughed, and cried.”
After graduating from Polimoda in June 2025, Brydge and her mom took a celebratory trip across Italy, finishing with a reunion in Capri with college friends before she returned to the States in July.
Today, Brydge is back in the South, working on the wholesale and brand experience team at HART, a Charleston-based jewelry company known for its personalized, soulful, and long-lasting designs.
Reflecting on her time at Ole Miss, Brydge said: “If I could go back and speak to college me, I would tell myself that life does not end after graduating—it’s only the beginning. What matters is finding joy in the everyday, even within the monotony of a 9-to-5 job. European living taught me that fulfillment depends less on standout moments and more on how you approach daily life. Embrace this time—it’s full of endless possibilities, so try not to compare your post-grad journey to anyone else’s.”
As for what’s next, Brydge is keeping an open mind.
“To be honest, I have no clue! Wherever I am, I hope to be flourishing in my career and relationships. I want a job with strong creative autonomy in some capacity or another… it excites me to have no idea.”
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All photos belong to Grace Brydge.