Every year South Africans are invited to vote for their favourite out of 10 objects in the Design Indaba's "most beautiful object in South Africa" competition. Laduma Ngxokolo and Thabo Makheta are two of this year's nominees - Ngxokolo for his Laduma shawl and Makheta for her Kobo collection jacket.Inspiration?LN: The patterns were inspired by the textures of ripe umnqusho, a traditional Xhosa dish, and traditional Xhosa embellishment and beadwork motifs. Traditional Xhosa dress uses rectangular fabrics styled as turbans, waist wraps and blankets.TM: My Basotho heritage and our culture of wearing the Basotho blanket as an integral part of our social and private life. I wanted to design a garment that would explore royalty from my perspective. So, I took my dad's Basotho blanket, cut it up and made a coat from it.Where has your collection shown?LN: I showed my two spring/summer 2016 men's and women's wear collection in Milan and Dubai as part of the Vogue Italia Who is Next?exhibitions.TM: We showed our A/W 16 Kobo collection at SA Fashion Week.In 2014, we made our runway debut at Vancouver Fashion Week. In August, we showcased at Pure London and we were recently at L'Artigiano in Milano in Milan.How do you combine culture and modernity in your designs?TM: I draw inspiration from my Sotho culture. But I'm also trying to move away from the narrow view of what traditional or African fashion is. The shapes and cuts are modern and clean with a recognisable fusion of ethnic and contemporary fabrics.TM: My A/W16 collection was inspired by bale, the Basotho initiation rite for girls about which little is known. My attention was drawn to the goatskins and hand-painted body deco adorned by the initiates . I used black and white with a touch of red to symbolise the red ochre the girls use to adorn themselves .How do you integrate the elements of your creativity?LN: I work with different models and photographers as much as possible to diversify the outcome of the production.How do you stimulate creativity?TM: I love art, fashion, architecture and music. I draw inspiration from them.How would winning the competition affect you?LN: More recognition and credibility.TM: We want to be an aspirational brand, creating a legacy in the same way Burberry, Balmain and Chanel have. Winning would be an endorsement, especially because we have our sights set on breaking into the international market.The 10 nominees:Dokter and Misses Kassena Town Cabinets, nominated by designer Sindiso Khumalo.The Twenty Journey book, nominated by the Design Indaba team.Pea Wasabi Mousse by head chef Candice Philips of Saxon Hotel's Five Hundred Restaurant, nominated by Veejay Archary and Marisa Holley of Black Africa Group.Thabo Makhetha's Kobo collection jacket, nominated by Emilie Gambade, editor-in-chief of ELLE South Africa.Haroon Gunn-Salie's exhibition History After Apartheid, nominated by Aaron Kohn, director at the Museum of African Design.Alpha Longboards Board by founder Kent Lingeveldt, nominated by Dillion Phiri, founder and creative director of Creative Nestings.Meyer von Wielligh's Umthi Hanging Lamp, nominated by Lindi Ndebele-Koka.Mahosa by Laduma shawl, nominated by interior designer Tracy Lynch.Bottle2Build modular low-cost building material, nominated by Gareth Cliff.See-Saw-Do initiative, nominated by TV presenter Katlego Maboe.The exhibition of the 10 objects showed in Johannesburg last week, will show in Durban until February 2 and in Cape Town from February 8-21. The winner will be announced at the Design Indaba Festival. To vote go to: www.designindaba.com..