Well Groomed

Competitive creative dog grooming is the most colorful competition in America and WELL GROOMED captures the hearts, minds and imaginations of the artists involved.Following four champion groomers and their gorgeous, vibrant dogs through a year in the life on the technicolor competition circuit, and playfully exploring their creative process, WELL GROOMED effervescently explores an American not often portrayed. From South Carolina to California, New York to Arkansas, the film follows dog groomers from their homes to large-scale dog grooming circuits where their communities meet, discuss, and compete with technicolor exuberance.

As the film unfolds, we meet Adriane, Nicole, Cat and Angela. Whether it’s Adriane’s intense drive to prove herself to her peer sby winning the championship for the first time, Nicole’s hope of finding people she can connect with as much as her dogs, or Cat’s understanding of herself as a winner within the show ring, we see how the competition brings these personal dramas into clear view.Working as professional groomers, they spend their limited spare time away from washing, blow-drying, and fluffing other people’s dogs caring for their own numerous pets and experimenting with new hair designs on their show dogs, finding creative inspiration in their seemingly mundane surroundings.These women are revolutionizing the age-old question-what is art?

Director Rebecca Stern has captured an up-close and revealing look at pets, families, friendships and the glory of dog grooming through a bright spectrum of color.