Master Show 2027
The speakers
Meet the professionals who will lead the seminars at Master Show 2027. New speakers will be announced soon.
International groomer · Trainer · World champion
Alessandro Pascoli
At Master Show 2027: Cocker Spaniel: stripping, technique and breed lines · Sunday 11 April, morning
Born in 1985 and proudly from Apulia, Alessandro Pascoli discovered grooming in 2010 with his first professional course and immediately knew it was his calling. In 2012, at his very first competition, he won his first Best in Show: the start of an international career built on dedication, technique and continuous growth.
- Individual World Champion
- Two-time Team World Vice-Champion
- Three-time Tournament of Champions finalist
- Multiple Italian and International Champion
- Winner of the International Pet Styling Award 2020
Alongside competing, he is dedicated to education: he teaches and speaks at numerous international seminars, sharing advanced techniques, breed-specific trimming methods and competition preparation strategies. For several years he directed a renowned international grooming academy, training new professionals with a method that combines technical excellence, structure and passion.
Professional groomer and handler
Tony Rago
At Master Show 2027: Jack Russell Terrier: stripping, character and coat management · Sunday 11 April, morning
Groomer and handler with international experience in preparing and presenting dogs of different breeds and coat types. His passion for the dog world began at the age of eight, during a competition, and led him to Junior Handling; he took his first steps in the salon alongside Mario Cucciolito, his friend and mentor.
He refined his skills in Europe alongside handlers and groomers such as Javier Gonzalez Mendikote and Ante Lucin, and with Juraj Sokolic at the F.D. Shonemberg kennel, deepening his knowledge of preparation techniques for different breeds and coat types. He has won numerous Best in Show titles in Europe and awards at international grooming competitions.
Today he works in a professional salon in Lugano, where he continues to refine his techniques and working methods with creativity, precision and great sensitivity towards animals.
Asian Style and Asian Fusion specialist
Aliof Rilova Tano — “Ali”
At Master Show 2027: Asian Style: proportions, flared legs and mushroom head · Sunday 11 April, afternoon
Aliof Rilova Tano, known as “Ali”, was born in Cuba in 1984 and began his career in Havana as a veterinary technician, a profession he continued after moving to Rome. In Italy he discovered his passion for grooming: he started out self-taught and then furthered his training through international courses.
Over time he specialised in Asian Style and Asian Fusion trims, developing a personal style appreciated for its creativity, precision and harmony of shapes. His competition record includes a podium at Master Grooming in Brazil in 2018 and victory at Master Show 2022 in the Open Poodle class, with the titles of Italian and International Class Champion.
Major results in Asian style followed: third place at Milangroom in 2023, first in 2024 and, in 2025, the Star Grooming Award for Best Asian Style Groomer, as well as silver in the Fantasy Style class at the FNT MedCup Italian Championship. In 2026 he won the Special Prize Trofeo Pezzati at Romeo Grooming, gold in Korean Fusion Intermediate and Best Intermediate at Hyponic International in Poland, as well as bronze in Asian Style at Groomania.
Alongside competitions, Ali is dedicated to education, giving seminars, demonstrations and personalised workshops with particular focus on the techniques and shapes of Asian style. Since 2024 he has run the Boutique delle Birbe by Morgana Carpentieri in Rome, where he offers courses for different levels of experience.
In 2025–2026 he is part of the AKKO SCISSORS Ambassador team, in the Simply The Best project by Paola Acco and Sarah Odette Genova. His work combines technical skill and artistic sensitivity, interpreting every trim with a personal and recognisable vision.
Show grooming, Italian Style and total look
Marco Marastoni — “the dog artist”
At Master Show 2027: Brussels Griffon, with Sarah Odette Genova · Saturday 10 April, morning
A professional groomer for over twenty years, Marco Marastoni specialises in show grooming, “Italian Style” and total look.
A multiple champion in international grooming competitions, he was a member of the Italian national grooming team in the Poodle class for two consecutive World Championships. He is a European champion, a Best in Show winner and holder of the prestigious “Oster Europe Grand Champion” title.
He is a judge for the EGA (European Grooming Association), a grooming coach and a speaker at major grooming events around the world.
Groomer, EGA judge and trainer
Sarah Odette Genova
At Master Show 2027: Clipper combs: scissor effect, speed and teddy-bear finishes · Saturday 10 April, morning
Sarah Odette Genova was born in Trapani and grew up in the world of grooming, which has been part of her life since childhood. Grooming runs in the family: her mother already had a grooming business, and it was thanks to her family that the passion was born which, over the years, would become her profession.
In 2010 she officially decided to pursue this path, attending her first professional course with Paola Acco, a key figure in her training and growth. She then began working in her parents’ grooming salon, turning what had started as a passion into a true professional ambition.
Over time she felt the desire to challenge herself, improve her technique and measure herself against the best professionals in the industry, and began taking part in national and international competitions.
In 2013 she received her first major award, the title of Best Young Groomer of the Year at the Stars Grooming Awards. From then on came a journey full of satisfaction, medals and awards throughout Europe and the United States.
Among her most significant achievements are Best in Show at the Mediterranean Cup in 2017, the prestigious title of Best Groomer at Groomania in Belgium, which opened the doors to American competitions in Las Vegas, and another important Best in Show won with a Kerry Blue Terrier.
In the following years she won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at international competitions, also receiving the title of Best International Groomer in Spain. In 2020 she was named Best Italian Groomer at the Stars Grooming Awards.
One of the most moving moments of her career came in 2022, when she represented Italy on the national team at the World Grooming Championships and won the silver medal at Groomania in the Spaniel class, earning the title of World Vice-Champion.
In 2025 she received a particularly meaningful award: Best Groomer Lifetime Achievement, a milestone that sums up years of dedication, sacrifice, study and passion for this profession.
Today she is an EGA judge for pure breeds and the Spaniel class, and alongside her work as a groomer she is also a trainer and coach.
Together with Paola Acco she is co-creator of the Simply the Best project and of the professional grooming manuals. She is also coach of the Simply the Best and Akko Scissor Grooming Team.
Her journey is one of study, sacrifice, passion and a constant pursuit of perfection. But above all, it is the story of a little girl who grew up in the family grooming salon and turned her roots into an international career, without ever forgetting where it all began.
Professional groomer · Special One Brand Ambassador
Gaia Ferruzzi
At Master Show 2027: Puppy Clip – My Signature Cut · Saturday 10 April, afternoon
Gaia Ferruzzi is an Italian professional groomer with ten years of experience at the top of the industry, recognised for her extraordinary technical precision and attention to structure in the Poodle and scissored breeds. Her vision blends elegance, harmony and respect for each dog’s personality, principles that have led her to success in the most prestigious competitions in the world.
Her international record boasts extraordinary achievements: from her successes at Groomania, with 1st place in 2024 and the title of Pure Breed Champion in 2025, to her triumph as International Stylist of the Year 2025 in the United Kingdom and Grand Champion at the Diamex Tournament. 2026 marked her definitive consecration, with her entry into the Hall of Fame and Best in Show at Master Show in Italy, the top awards at PetGuru in Romania and the prestigious Diamond Jackpot Winner at Groomania.
Alongside competing, Gaia is passionate about education and sharing technical knowledge. As an international demonstrator, she gives seminars, workshops and demonstrations at major industry events across Europe, sharing innovative methods enriched by the diploma she earned at the prestigious Yu school in China.
As a testament to her excellence and commitment to coat care, Gaia is a proud Brand Ambassador for Special One, a leading brand that supports her professional journey and her teaching for the groomers of today and tomorrow.
Professional groomer and trainer
Vincenzo Castaldi
At Master Show 2027: Commercial Poodle · Saturday 10 April, afternoon
Vincenzo Castaldi is a professional groomer, trainer and entrepreneur specialising in Poodle, Commercial and Asian Style trims. In 2018 he founded Exotic Life Beauty & Spa in Naples, starting a journey that combines technical mastery, innovation and entrepreneurial vision.
Trained at the Iv San Bernard academies and later perfecting his skills in China with multiple champion Yu Jingyi, he has achieved major results in competition and in the media, including the title of Best Influencer Groomer at the Stars Grooming Awards 2024 and 2nd place Commercial at Milan Groom. During his career he has served as Ambassador and Master for Urban Dog and joined the competition team of Simply the Best and Paola Acco Scissors.
In 2025 he joined Team Special One in a cross-functional role: Brand Ambassador, competitor and Pet Salon Marketing Strategist, helping to develop communication and promotion strategies for grooming salons.
Today, alongside his work in the salon, he runs an intensive teaching programme across Europe, sharing his experience through specialist courses and workshops aimed at advancing the entire professional grooming industry.
Feline grooming specialist
Giulia Caponi
At Master Show 2027: Cat special: Persian and Maine Coon, techniques and handling compared · Sunday 11 April, afternoon
Profile coming soon.