The pampered mutts were left sporting adorable ‘angel wings’ and ‘ hearts’ on their beautifully coiffured coats thanks to the skill of top Brighton based dog groomer Helen Kirby. Helen spent a week in Malaysia learning how to create the intricate doggy hair-styles which are all the rage in Asia. She was was inspired after seeing Instagram posts of ‘teddy bear dogs’ rocking out-of-this-world hair styles. Helen, 29, who works at Bone Idol grooming salon in Brighton, East Sussex was keen to learn the art for herself. She packed up her bags for a week to jet over 6,500 miles to Kuala Lumpur to study an intensive course in Asian fusion dog grooming. And the art behind the angel wings and hearts turned out to be an extremely precise and mathematical one. Helen had to learn to draw a perfect concentric circle before she could even pick up a pair of scissors. The groomer said: “I was honestly blown away with how mathematical, methodical and how each style is linked to the dog’s anatomy. “At the start of my grooming career I made it my goal to learn this style, and through the years I have worked out how to groom in the style. “But in order to perfect it the skill, I had to spend that time in Asia learning from the professionals, at the Pets Icon Grooming Academy (PIGA). “The teachers at PIGA are extremely knowledgeable and talented. I was in awe of their skill.” Helen added: “Before we were allowed to scissor anything, we had to draw the style of groom to absolute perfection. Their theory is if you can’t draw the shape with a pencil, how are you going to scissor it? “We spent a lot of time rubbing out and redrawing the perfect circular shapes - Mr Miyagi, Karate Kid style! I learnt the correct shapes and techniques for Asian fusion on a dog model with synthetic hair before we got to groom a real dog.” The Pets Icon Grooming School is renowned for its unique designs - and since returning home to the UK, Helen is already putting her skills to work. She said: “Since being home, and with the easing of lockdown meaning many dogs have longer coats than we would normally see, I have had the opportunity to try some new styles. “I really enjoy scissoring new shapes and I’ve noticed how much I have improved since being able to freestyle. My favourite thing I’ve done is angel wings on Krystle the Labradoodle. “Krystle really suits her new wings because of her sweet and gentle nature and I can’t wait to enhance other dogs’ characters with custom styles tailored to them. “This has opened up my eyes to how huge this industry is and I realise I need to challenge myself to widen my capabilities and grow in my grooming career.” To find out more about the services offered at Bone Idol, visit www.boneidol.co.uk/pages/brighton-dog-grooming. Why not send in pictures of your pampered pets. See also: Plan to save Sussex bees has been heralded as a great success