It’s time for another ‘Artist Spotlight’ series, with this month’s focus on Fox & Velvet, the creative duo of Suu-Min Ang and Mark Scott-Davies, who combine mid-century modern design with contemporary flair. Suu-Min focuses on illustration while Mark directs the artistic vision, with both drawing inspiration from music and modernist design. With over a decade of collaboration, their vibrant, playful style continues to evolve, including exciting new projects like their upcoming travel collection.

Q: How did you both meet and decide to form the artistic duo Fox and Velvet?

A: We met while working at the Apple Store in London. After taking a year off to travel, we returned to the UK wanting to create something of our own. We started with a handful of prints, which really took off, and we never looked back!

Q: What inspired you to create a retro-infused style, and how do you keep it fresh and contemporary?

A: We’ve always been drawn to the boldness and simplicity of mid-century modern design. Stripping things back to their core features leaves room for the viewer’s interpretation, which is very important to us. It was also essential for us not to replicate what inspired us, but to add a modern twist with contemporary subjects and distinctive elements that give our work its recognizable style.

Q: What does a typical brainstorming session look like for you two?

A: We start by breaking the idea down to its basic parts and deciding on the key elements to illustrate. After some thumbnail sketches, we move quickly to digitize the design since color is such an important part of our work. Often, we remove elements rather than adding, until we both agree it’s finished.

Q: Can you share the story behind one of your most popular designs?

A: Suu-Min usually handles the initial stages of the illustrations, and it’s both work and stress relief for her. The Spritz and Manhattan prints were designed one night when she couldn’t sleep. We had been simmering on the idea of a cocktail collection for months, and that particular week of stress acted as a catalyst, sparking the entire range.

Q: How do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?

A: It’s harder now with social media constantly pushing comparison and visibility algorithms. Getting off the screen is crucial—either by going out in nature or turning to our book collection, which always helps.

Q: How do you handle creative disagreements and find common ground in your projects?

A: We take on different roles—Suu-Min does the illustration, and Mark acts as the art director. With over 10 years of experience working together, we have a high level of trust. There’s no ego; if we’re not both happy, we either shelve it for later or continue until we both feel it’s right.

Q: How do you envision the future of Fox and Velvet, and what new directions are you excited about?

A: We plan to keep creating for life! Developing new ranges is always exciting, and we have plenty of subjects to explore. Personally, Mark is working on his abstract series, and Suu-Min has always wanted to create children’s books, so we hope to work on these personal projects alongside the work we already love making.