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GOTM Valentine's 2026: Tania Jesus, Yamirka Marmolejos & Kaitlyn Brown
Love at First Groom: Valentine’s Groom of the Month Winners
Love—and creativity—were certainly in the air this February as groomers from around the world shared their artistic interpretations in our Valentine’s-themed Groom of the Month Competition.
With 53 entries, this month’s contest showcased an impressive range of techniques and imagination. From romantic color palettes and playful character designs to intricate sculptural work, competitors embraced the theme in ways that made judging especially challenging.
Every entry reflected the passion and dedication that continues to push creative grooming forward as both a technical skill and an evolving art form. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and shared their work with the community.
After careful review, our judges selected three standout designs that captured both the spirit of Valentine’s Day and the artistry of creative grooming.
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🥉 3rd Place: Kaitlyn Brown — American Chapter
Taking third place, Kaitlyn Brown delivered a Valentine’s design that perfectly captures the sweetness and charm of the holiday. Her elegant white poodle was transformed with vibrant pink accents, including soft pink ears and delicately placed heart shapes scattered across the body.
Bold magenta hearts create a playful contrast against the crisp white coat, giving the groom a clean, graphic look while maintaining a romantic feel. Fluffy white leg poms and balanced proportions keep the overall structure polished and refined.
Presented against a soft pink backdrop with rose petals and bright red balloons, the groom evokes the unmistakable atmosphere of Valentine’s Day. Kaitlyn’s design stands out for its simplicity, clarity, and strong visual impact.
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🥈 2nd Place: Yamirka Marmolejos — Latin American Chapter
In second place, Yamirka Marmolejos impressed the judges with a design that blends technical precision with playful character work.
Her pastel-toned poodle features a dreamy palette of soft rainbow hues—lavenders, yellows, pinks, and blues—that create a light, whimsical feel. On one side, she sculpted an adorable Hello Kitty–inspired character, complete with whiskers, bow, and expressive facial details carved directly into the coat.
On the opposite side, bold red hearts reinforce the Valentine’s theme and add graphic contrast to the pastel body color. Fluffy leg poms and smooth color blending unify the design while maintaining a soft, balanced silhouette.
The groom showcases impressive control of character carving, sculptural shaping, and seamless color transitions, resulting in a design that feels both joyful and technically refined.
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🥇 1st Place: Tania Jesus — Latin America Chapter
Taking the top spot this month is Tania Jesus, whose imaginative design captivated the judges with its storytelling, sculptural detail, and vibrant character work.
Working on a model dog, Tania created a whimsical scene inspired by the world of Shrek. Around the base of the model, she sculpted colorful characters representing figures from the beloved fairy-tale universe, including the unmistakable green face of Shrek and the charming Donkey.
Each character is carefully carved with expressive shapes and enhanced by vibrant color work—greens, pinks, oranges, and soft pastels—giving the design a lively, fantasy-inspired feel. Despite the complexity of the sculpting, the composition remains balanced and cohesive.
At the center of the display sits a bright sunflower, bringing warmth and unity to the design while symbolically tying the characters together.
What impressed the judges most was the precision of the sculptural execution combined with a clear artistic concept. Every character is distinct, yet the overall composition flows naturally, demonstrating both technical mastery and strong creative vision.
Tania’s piece is a wonderful example of creative grooming as three-dimensional storytelling, transforming a simple model into a playful and memorable work of art.
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Celebrating Creativity
This Valentine’s competition was a joyful celebration of imagination, technique, and community spirit. With 53 talented entries, the level of artistry on display made this one of our most exciting Groom of the Month competitions yet.
Congratulations to Tania Jesus, Yamirka Marmolejos, and Kaitlyn Brown, and thank you to every groomer who participated and shared their work.
Your creativity continues to inspire the global grooming community—and we can’t wait to see what incredible designs appear in the next competition.