Next Groomers Presents

The Art of the Poodle

Zagreb, Croatia
30 Jan 2026 - 1 Feb 2026

Join us as inspiring grooming minds unite to shape the future of poodle artistry—together.

Nextgroomers

Organized by NextGroomers

NextGroomers is a curated education platform for professional groomers and dedicated pet owners who want to learn more. We design modern in-person and online events with real mentorship, clear techniques, and a community that grows — and has fun — together. Every experience is crafted to raise standards in grooming education, not just repeat them. Because when groomers learn together, the whole industry levels up.

Where modern pet grooming meets higher standards.

Featured Speakers

Learn from the industry's finest

Pietro Vitale

Pietro Vitale

Pietro Vitale is a highly respected professional groomer and educator with over 15 years of experience. Known for his mastery of poodle grooming and Asian Fusion Style, he has become a leading figure in the European grooming community — admired for his precision, artistry, and dedication to continuous excellence.

Pietro Vitale

Pietro Vitale

Master Groomer & Educator

Pietro Vitale is a highly respected professional groomer and educator with over 15 years of experience. Known for his mastery of poodle grooming and Asian Fusion Style, he has become a leading figure in the European grooming community — admired for his precision, artistry, and dedication to continuous excellence.

Career Highlights
  • Over 15 years of professional grooming experience, specializing in poodles and Asian Fusion Style.
  • Founder and owner of a prestigious grooming salon in Italy, renowned for its high standards of care and style.
  • Established a professional grooming academy dedicated to educating and mentoring new generations of groomers through advanced training programs.
  • Regular speaker and demonstrator at international seminars and grooming events across Europe.
  • Known for his ability to communicate complex techniques with clarity, inspiring both aspiring and experienced groomers.

Competition Achievements

  • 2019: Winner – Best Poodle Technique Award
  • 2020: Silver Medal – Mastershow (Standard Poodles)
  • 2022: Gold Medal – Italian Championship (Poodle Class)
  • 2023: Silver Medal – Groomania (Open Poodle Class)
  • 2024: Silver Medal – Milan Groom (Poodle Class)
  • 2024: Named Best Italian Groomer
  • 2025: Gold Medal – Master Show Italy
  • 2025: Silver Medal – Italian Championship
  • 2025: Gold Medal – Diamex Master Groomer (Belgium)
  • 2025: Gold Medal – Milangroom (Poodle Class)
Specialty & Passion

Pietro’s deep passion lies in poodle grooming artistry — a discipline where he unites elegance, structure, and creativity. His approach highlights the natural beauty of the breed while pushing the boundaries of innovation in competitive styling.

Education & Mentorship

As the founder of his own grooming academy, Pietro dedicates his time to training and mentoring aspiring groomers, focusing on advanced scissoring techniques, breed standard interpretation, and show preparation. His teaching is recognized for its precision, patience, and ability to transform technical skill into true artistry.

Quick Facts

·       Years of Experience: 15+

·       Founder: Professional Grooming Academy, Italy

·       Specialty: Poodles & Asian Fusion Style

·       Awards: 9+ International Titles (2019–2025)

·       Countries Taught: Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain

Lidija Prokofjeva

Lidija Prokofjeva

Lidija Prokofjeva is a respected show poodle specialist known for elegant, balanced, and precisely sculpted trims that honor breed standards while enhancing each dog’s natural outline. As the breeder behind the “Nicesteps” prefix, her poodles have earned top accolades around the world.

Lidija Prokofjeva

Lidija Prokofjeva

Master Groomer & Educator

Lidija Prokofjeva is a respected show poodle specialist known for elegant, balanced, and precisely sculpted trims that honor breed standards while enhancing each dog’s natural outline. As the breeder behind the “Nicesteps” prefix, her poodles have earned top accolades around the world.

Career Highlights
  • 15+ years of professional grooming experience focused on all show poodle clips.
  • Former instructor at a professional grooming school in Riga, Latvia.
  • Founder of Poodle Grooming Courses, delivering structured programs for beginners through advanced groomers.
  • International speaker & educator at seminars across Europe.
  • Show-ring success including grooming for BIS, BISS, European Winner, World Winner, and Crufts Winner titles.
Specialty & Passion

Lidija’s passion is show poodle grooming—revealing each dog’s structure and character through clean lines, true balance, and
refined finish. Her work blends technical mastery with artistic sensitivity,
turning standards into standout results.

Education & Mentorship

Through her Poodle Grooming Courses, Lidija helps groomers:

  • Deepen their understanding of breed standards
  • Master advanced show techniques and finishing
  • Prepare confidently for competition and the show ring

Many of her students have gone on to earn recognition as groomers and competitors.

Quick Facts
  • Years of Experience: 15+
  • Founder: Poodle Grooming Courses (Latvia)
  • Specialty: All Show Poodle Clips
  • Awards (as groomer/breeder): BIS, BISS,
    European & World Winners, Crufts Winners
  • Countries Taught: Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Germany
Sandra Mularska

Sandra Mularska

Sandra Mularska is an internationally recognized master groomer and educator with nearly two decades of experience. Renowned for her mastery of Asian Fusion Style, she has trained with some of the most respected names in the grooming industry and continues to inspire professionals across Europe with her expertise and passion for the craft.

Sandra Mularska

Sandra Mularska

Master Groomer & Educator Specialist in Asian Fusion Style

Sandra Mularska is an internationally recognized master groomer and educator with nearly two decades of experience. Renowned for her mastery of Asian Fusion Style, she has trained with some of the most respected names in the grooming industry and continues to inspire professionals across Europe with her expertise and passion for the craft.

Career Highlights
  • Began her grooming career in 2006, completing over 30 international seminars, workshops, and advanced courses.
  • Trained under master groomers Yulia Marenkova (Special One) and Natasha Kolbe (Germany).
  • First Polish student to attend the prestigious Yin Lin Academy (China), studying under Mavis Hao.
  • Graduated from Yin Lin Academy with a Master Asian Style Diploma after completing her Master Asian Class.
  • Served as an iGROOM Cosmetics Ambassador from 2020 to 2023.
  • Founder and owner of Sandy’s Grooming Salon in Ireland—one of the country’s most recognized and established grooming salons.
  • Returned to Poland in 2023 to open Grooming Studio Sandra Mularska, continuing her work with dedication and artistry.
  • Regularly invited to hold seminars and training sessions across Europe, including in Ireland, Poland, the UK, Romania, Slovenia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
  • Served as a guest judge at international grooming competitions.
Specialty & Passion

Sandra’s main passion lies in the art of Asian Fusion grooming, where she combines creativity, precision, and deep understanding of coat structure to achieve beautifully balanced results. Her love for the craft extends to her medium poodles, who inspire much of her artistic expression and grooming philosophy.

Education & Mentorship

Sandra is devoted to continuous learning and sharing her knowledge with others. Through her seminars, workshops, and one-on-one lessons, she helps groomers refine their technique, build confidence, and discover their own artistic voice within the profession.

Quick Facts

·      Years of Experience: 19+

·      Education: Yin Lin Academy (China) – Master Asian Style Diploma

·      Countries Taught In: Ireland, Poland, UK, Romania, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania

·      Specialty: Asian Fusion Style & Poodles

What you’ll learn

Three days that move your grooming career forward.

Pietro Vitale | Poodle T-Clip (Show → Salon)

Pietro Vitale | Poodle T-Clip (Show → Salon)

Learn Pietro’s approach to clean lines, perfect balance, and show-to-salon T-Clip techniques that bring structure, polish, and confidence to your poodle grooming.

Sandra Mularska | Asian-Style on Poodles

Sandra Mularska | Asian-Style on Poodles

Discover Sandra’s way of creating soft, expressive Asian Fusion trims on poodles—balanced shapes, clean lines, and photo-ready finishes you can take back to the salon.

Lidija Prokofjeva | Scandinavian Clip, Coat Care & Show Finish

Lidija Prokofjeva | Scandinavian Clip, Coat Care & Show Finish

Learn Lidija’s system for refined Scandinavian clips, precise coat prep, and flawless show-quality finishes—and see why she’s so respected in the poodle world.

Nextgroomers

Event Schedule

Three days packed with learning and inspiration

15:00

Doors Open/Registration

16:00-17:30

Elevating grooming standards

Nathalie Doaré Ariey, international speaker

Lecture
17:30-19:30

Round table: Journeys in Grooming + Q&A

Sandra Mularska, Pietro Vitale, Lidija Prokofjeva + Guest speaker

Round Table
19:30-20:00

Networking & Meet the Speakers

Sandra Mularska, Pietro Vitale, Lidija Prokofjeva + Guest speaker

Networking
20:00

Event ends

20:30

Exclusive VIP Dinner

For VIP Tickets only

Dinner
8:00

Doors Open/Registration

9:00-13:00

Poodle Demo: T-Clip (Show→Salon)

Pietro Vitale

Lecture
13:00-14:30

Lunch Break

Break
14:30-18:00

Asian-Style on Poodles: Design & Detailing

Sandra Mularska

Lecture
18:00-19:00

Recap & Mic-Drop Tips

Pietro Vitale and Sandra Mularska on stage

Workshop
19:00-20:00

Networking & Social Hour

20:00

Day Ends

8:00

Door Open/Registration

9:00-13:00

Poodle Demo: Structure & Finish (Scandinavian Clip)

Lidija Prokofjeva

Lecture
13:00-14:30

Lunch Break

Break
14:30-19:00

Hands-On Workshop (3 teams with a total of 15 people)

Sandra Mularska, Pietro Vitale, Lidija Prokofjeva

Workshop
19:00-19:30

Networking & Farewell Words - Closing Session

Sandra Mularska, Pietro Vitale, Lidija Prokofjeva

19:30

Event Concludes

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Free Friday Education
Must be added to cart to reserve the spot
€0  / person
 
  • Poodle History & Breed Education
  • Expert Grooming Panel with Open Q&A
  • Guest speaker: Nathalie Doaré Ariey
  • Poodle Owners & Breeders Networking
  • Vendor & Grooming Brands Area Access
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One Speaker
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€170  / person
 
  • 1 Demo Speaker (Sat or Sun) + Friday
  • Certificate of Attendance
  • Networking & Vendor Area Access
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Two Speakers
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€290  / person
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  • Networking & Vendor Area Access
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Three Speakers
Professionals seeking full access (without meals)
€380  / person
Save €130 vs three singles (€510) + extras
  • All 3 Days (Fri–Sun)
  • Certificates of Attendance (signed by all speakers)
  • Networking & Vendor Area Access
  • Goodie Bag Included
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Professionals seeking a complete all-inclusive experience
€450  / person
Save €130 vs three singles (€510) + extras + 2 lunches
  • All 3 Days (Fri–Sun)
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VIP Experience
Professionals seeking personal connection and exclusivity
€560  / person
 
  • Everything from Premium +
  • Exclusive VIP Dinner (Friday with all speakers & organizers)
  • First-Row Reserved Seating
  • VIP Goodie Bag
  • Dedicated VIP Assistance
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Lunch (Saturday) €35
Lunch (Sunday) €35
Workshop with Sandra Mularska (max. 5 people) €150
Workshop with Pietro Vitale (max. 5 people) €150
Workshop with Lidija Prokofjeva (max. 5 people) €150
Workshop spectator (max. 10 people) €50
Group discounts available for 5+ attendees. Contact Us
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