FT Weekend: Debora Szpilman’s Festive Illustrations Light Up The Holidays

Debora SzpilmanIllustration

Dec 5

Written By Dutch Uncle

With Christmas on the horizon, it’s time to embrace the festive season with all its indulgence and joy. This week’s FT Weekend Magazine is here to guide you, offering 24 inspiring ways to make December unforgettable, no matter your mood — whether you're fully immersed in holiday cheer or still searching for your festive spark.

Debora Szpilman’s captivating illustrations bring this guide to life. Her work, featured prominently in this issue, is a feast for the eyes. Through her signature style, Debora captures the magic of the season, weaving together scenes of celebration and coziness. One illustration invites readers to peer into festive windows, where Santa hilariously struggles with tangled fairy lights, a man savors olive martinis and a lavish cheese board, and a woman is surrounded by champagne flutes as hands reach for a tray of decadent cookies. All this unfolds against a rich green backdrop, perfectly evoking the warmth and vibrancy of December.

Beyond the visuals, the magazine is packed with delights: Thermos cocktails for brisk winter walks, whiskey-spiked cookies for late-night indulgence, and caviar-buttered linguine that promises to elevate any Christmas gathering. Food writer Nigella Lawson reminds us that simplicity can be delicious, sharing her own festive favorites.

There’s also advice for creating the ultimate cheese board, tips on better party photography, and a winter solstice supper designed to uplift the darkest days. And if gifting has you stumped, the guide’s eclectic picks — from lobster wall hooks to underwater headphones — are sure to inspire.

Debora SzpilmanEditorial IllustrationIllustration AgencyChristmas Illustration

Dutch Uncle

Dutch Uncle is an award-winning international illustration and animation agency founded in 2006 by Helen Cowley. With offices in London, New York, and Tokyo, we operate across every major timezone, connecting the world's most ambitious brands with exceptional global creative talent.

Over nearly two decades, Dutch Uncle have built one of the most decorated artist rosters in the industry. Our artists have produced Gold Clio and Cannes Lions award-winning work for clients spanning fashion, luxury, fintech, tech, healthcare, and publishing. We have collaborated on prestige illustration and animation projects for global leaders, including Hermès, Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Rimowa, as well as Apple, Google, Mercedes, Netflix, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, The New York Times.

We represent illustrators and animation directors who lead their fields in conceptual thinking, visual intelligence, and craft. Artists whose work cuts through algorithmic sameness to deliver genuine cultural impact.

Beyond our core roster, we also draw on an international network of talent across five continents to meet the scale and complexity of any brief.

Dutch Uncle operates as a full-service creative production partner, managing everything from artist sourcing and briefing through to licensing, copyright, animation production, and final delivery.

We specialise in complex, multi-market projects that demand creative precision and seamless execution. Whether that is a single editorial commission, a suite of high-impact social media assets, or a global animated campaign.

For nearly twenty years, the world's leading agencies, publishers, cultural institutions, and brands have trusted us to bring their most ambitious work to life.

https://www.dutchuncle.co.uk