As I walked up the steps to the third floor of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, my nerves calmed and excitement rose when I entered into Doster 306. I was greeted with a warm smile and welcoming handshake by one of the newest additions to the fashion department at the University of Alabama.

The ‘New Kid on the Block’ that I am referring to is Mrs. Elena Groh. The 28 year old, Virginia Beach native is originally from Malaga, Spain but grew up in Virginia for most of her life. Groh graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. degree in Commerce and Marketing. She’s now a graduate student at the University of Alabama and teaching a course in the Fashion Department of the Human Environmental Sciences School.

Groh once lived under the big city lights of New York City, where she was a buyer for Saks 5th Avenue and worked in the Advanced European Designer Office. Later, she became the National Sales Director for Moschino. She has come a long way from where she was, to where she currently resides here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They say half the fun of a journey is getting there, but how did she get to where she is today?

Groh has always been interested in fashion and the consumer behavior aspects of the business. She mentioned that everyone puts on their “personal costume” which is their individual style they put on every day. She knows what she likes and what is best for her but in-turn likes to see how others shop; what fashion choices they think are interesting.

“I learned more about myself," Groh said. "I like myself a lot more than I did when I was younger, and so I’m a little bit more confident.

"I’m not keeping up with people, or trying to look like anybody else,” Groh said about her own style. She described her personal style as “effortlessly chic” but she also likes to dresses with intention.

Groh’s big break into the fashion world was when her former co-worker set her up with an opportunity she couldn’t refuse. The offer was an interview with the Human Resources department at Saks 5th Avenue in New York. Resulting from this interview, shevbegan working in the Advanced European Designer Office for Saks. Not long after, Groh was offered a position to be the National Sales Director of Moschino.

Groh admits she misses living and working in New York, however does not miss the price it costs to live there. Groh recently moved to Alabama within the past year with her husband, Mike Groh. Mike works closely with the Crimson Tide offensive line, as a graduate assistant here at the university. Her initial reaction was not that of sadness or fear, but instead excitement for her husband.

“When Coach Saban calls, you kind of answer the phone. I was really fired up for him, because I knew it would be a great opportunity for him. He was really supportive of me when I was doing all of my crazy moves, especially from D.C. to New York City. I thought it would a great opportunity for us in the future, plus I like change,” Groh said about the move to the south.

Groh has accomplished a lot over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. When I asked her where she would be in the next five to ten years she surprisingly responded, “Hopefully, teaching at the University of Alabama.” Groh mentioned with that if you happen to be in the right place, at the right time and have a little bit of luck on your side then the sky is the limit.

Groh advises anyone who was trying to make something of themselves in the fashion business would be to simply “take ownership”. Do what you do, and do it well to the best of your ability.

Although her surroundings have drastically changed, her self expression through her style and fashion is not going to change. Groh is not going to wait on opportunities to present themselves.

She's taking responsibility for her future and matching it with two little accessories everyone should have: a dream and a mindset for success.

by Matthew Hutchins