Fans of The Traitors Ireland may remember Janet Takuz for one unforgettable exit, but her biggest work happens far from the castle walls. In a striking twist for entertainment news Ireland, the Dublin creative has been revealed as one of the key talents behind the much-anticipated Brown Thomas and Arnotts Christmas window displays.
Takuz, who caught viewers’ attention on RTÉ’s hit reality series earlier this year, told EVOKE that she has spent more than a decade working with Brown Thomas, rising from intern to concept designer. For many following Irish entertainment news, it is a fascinating crossover between television fame and high-profile retail artistry.
The Traitors Ireland star making festive magic
During her time on The Traitors Ireland, Takuz shared that she worked as a concept designer, a job title that sparked curiosity among viewers. She has now explained that her role includes designing and installing some of the most eye-catching windows at Brown Thomas and Arnotts, including their celebrated Christmas displays.
She said she began by “cleaning out the windows” as an intern before working her way up to lead design duties. That progression story adds another compelling angle to celebrity news Ireland, especially as audiences continue to follow familiar TV personalities beyond the screen.
Takuz also revealed that the team’s work received major international recognition in 2024, when Brown Thomas won Best Christmas Window Display, beating major global names including Macy’s. It is the kind of achievement that resonates not only in TV news Ireland circles, but also across the wider creative industries.
What to expect from this year’s Brown Thomas windows
While Takuz is keeping the 2026 concept under wraps, she hinted that this year’s unveiling will be “really fun” and significantly bigger in ambition. According to her, the team has “dialled it up ten,” suggesting a bolder and more immersive festive experience for shoppers and visitors in Dublin city centre.
That sense of anticipation is exactly why stories like this travel so well in latest entertainment news Ireland. The Brown Thomas windows are more than seasonal decorations; they have become annual cultural talking points.
How the creative themes take shape
Takuz said each display begins with a close look at the mood of the city, customer sentiment and broader design trends. Rather than simply repeating traditional Christmas imagery, the team aims to create installations that feel emotionally relevant.
- Post-pandemic, one concept looked to space instead of classic festive nostalgia.
- Another theme, “Holly and Jolly,” centred on a girl and her dog, expanding ideas of who and what Christmas can represent.
- A past concept inspired by vintage baubles turned family memories into oversized visual storytelling.
This approach gives the windows a strong connection to Irish pop culture and the changing ways audiences engage with festive traditions.
Homegrown talent at the heart of the displays
Takuz also highlighted the mix of local and international craftsmanship behind the scenes. While the production involves specialist suppliers from Belfast, Barcelona and the UK, she said there is a strong effort to champion Irish and emerging creatives wherever possible.
That commitment to local makers adds depth to this entertainment news Ireland story. It is not just about one TV figure’s career path, but about the wider network of artists, fabricators and designers helping shape one of the season’s most recognisable public spectacles.
Planning for Christmas begins as early as January, with Takuz working on windows throughout the year. Her passion for the role is unmistakable, describing the work as where she feels “at full capacity and happy.”
For readers tracking entertainment news Ireland, this is the kind of story that blends reality TV, design ambition and festive tradition into one standout headline. And when the Brown Thomas windows are finally unveiled, many will now be looking at them a little differently.
