A2BC MAG
CHAPTER I CHAPTER I
CHAPTER III CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV CHAPTER IV
TO THE A2BC FAM
We are not just made of skin and bone we are Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, in motion. That motion is rhythm, it’s voice, it’s feeling. It’s culture. A2BC has always moved this way from curating threads that speak without words, to capturing untold stories through a lens, and now, into print documenting the movement of cool in all its forms We’ve never been just a production company. We’ve been a frequency. This magazine is proof of that
Cool looks different in every language and in every element, we speak it fluently. This issue, like the spirit of A2BC, goes deeper. From bold and unapologetic fire to grounded earth, reflective water to flowing air we crafted each page with the truth that cool isn’t one thing For some, cool is fire loud and electric. For others, it’s air still and sovereign. We designed this to reflect you our diverse, evolving readers each finding yourself in different waves, colours, and textures
What matters most is not what cool looks like but who it belongs to And if you ' re reading this, it already belongs to you Whether you ’ re fire one day, water the next, or drifting like air you ’ re still being you. That’s the real cool. The kind that can’t be copied, because it’s lived. This isn’t just a magazine it’s a reflection of the self in motion So move with it, feel with it, cool with it in all your elements
FIRE FIRE
THE FLAME THAT PERFORMS
There are muses, and then there are wildfires.
Berenice Barbier is a force an actress whose presence burns with purpose. As a voice artist and performer currently commanding the stage in La Ronde (Baxter Studio, June 20 – July 12), Berenice doesn’t just act she ignites. Her energy during the shoot was magnetic, each glance like a spark, each pose a blaze. With a voice that scorches and a gaze that lingers like heat on skin, Berenice channels Fire not just as an element but as her second nature.
"Whatislife withoutalittle fire?"
J.R.R. Tolkien
EARTH EARTH
“Heavenis underourfeet aswellasover ourheads.”
– HENRY DAVID THOREAU
‘GroundedbyGrace’
BUHLE MBELE RETURNS TO OUR PAGES AS THE EMBODIMENT OF EARTH GROUNDED, STEADY, AND DEEPLY REAL. HER PRESENCE IS CALM YET COMMANDING, HUMBLE YET RADIANT. WITH A QUIET STRENGTH THAT DRAWS YOU IN, BUHLE DOESN’T JUST REPRESENT EARTH SHE IS IT. ROOTED. AUTHENTIC. UNSHAKABLE.
“Buhleis effortless —raw, real,and radiantly human.”
“Ifeellike I’dmake the perfect Water— mylife flows,and it’sall thanksto God.”
- ATARA
In Her Flow
Actress and gifted voice artist Atara Jawahir said yes to this shoot without hesitation:
“I feel like I’d make the perfect Water my life flows, and it’s all thanks to God.” She was right. From start to finish, Atara moved with calm precision and fluid grace. Her presence was serene, her energy effortless. She didn’t just embody Water she flowed with it.
"Thousands havelived withoutlove, notone without water."
– W. H. AUDEN
THE SILENT STORM
Chantè Strydom, a talented actress and voice artist, mirrors the element of Air with quiet precision. Reserved at first, she carries a calm stillness until she speaks. Then, like the Cape Town wind, she catches you off guard: sharp, witty, and full of insight. Chantè doesn’t just represent Air she moves like it. Gentle, then sudden. Subtle, then unforgettable.
"Theairis fullofour ancestors.."
– AFRICAN
Winter invites stillness — but never silence. In a world that slows down, AB rises in elegance, reminding us that warmth and power can walk hand in hand.
This season isn’t about hiding from the cold; it’s about commanding it. Through bold textures, timeless silhouettes, and deliberate layering, we explore what it means to move with grace — and dress with purpose.
It’showyoushowup—every season.
NEWLOOKNEWSTYLE
THE4 ELEMENTISHERE TH
N E I G H B O U R G O O D S M A R K E T –W H E R E T H E E L E M E N T S M E E T
Old Biscuit Mill, Every Weekend
In a city known for its gusts and grey skies, finding warmth, energy, and rhythm in one place isn’t easy. Unless that place is Neighbourgoods Market. Nestled in the heart of Woodstock at the Old Biscuit Mill, this iconic weekend market defies the chill and keeps the CapeTown spirit burning.
Here, thefire is in the music. DJs keep the courtyard alive with heat, setting a backdropfor spontaneous dancing and golden hour grooves. The air swirls with scent sizzling food stalls, freshcut flowers, and artisan coffee thick with warmth. And while people come for the goods, it's the vibe they stayfor
“Youwear yourstory beforeyou speakit.”
From handcrafted fashion to gourmet street food, everything flows — like water — between culture and community. Style drips from every corner: locals and travelers alike dressed to express, not impress. Yet there’s a surprising earthiness to it all — a grounded charm from vendors who remember your name, to creatives selling their stories through clothes, crafts, and cuisine.
Neighbourgoods isn’t just a market — it’s a microcosm of Cape Town’s finest. Vibrant. Rooted. Stylish. And always in motion. In the depth of winter, it offers what few places can: an eternal summer of energy — no matter the forecast.
D r i n ks w i t h A l ly
Whenthetemperaturedrops, therightdrinkcanshiftthewholemood Whetheryou’recurled upindoorsorhostingwithflair, theperfectcocktailwarmsmorethanjustyourhands
Forthisissue, welinkedupwithoneofCapeTown’sfinest AlecPowrie, betterknownasAlly, amixologistwhoseskillisonlymatchedbyherhumility. Allycraftedfourseasonalcocktails, eachinspiredbyadifferenttimeofyear fromthebrightnotesofsummertothedeep, spicedtonesofwinter Thebestpart?Theserecipesaremadetovibeathomeandtakeless thantenminutestoprep (seriously tenminutesispushingit)
H O W T O P R E P A R E T H I S D R I N K
35ml PineappleVodka
15ml Cointreau
25ml Lemon Basil Syrup
Topwith Soda
Garnish cocktail with edible jellieson the insideoftheglass
M I N I M A L I S T
Homemade Passion fruit, Coconut and vanilla boozy sorbet
Add 1 scoop to the glass and top with 125ml Prosecco (or more if you heart desires)
50ML ANGOSTURA 7 YEAR
RUM
5ML CHAI SPICED SYRUP
2 DASHES ANGOSTURA CITRUS BITTERS
STIR DOWN AND SERVE OVER ICE IN A WHISKEY GLASS SMOKE WITH APPLEWOOD
35ML HOWLER HEAD WHISKEY
15ML FRANGELICO LIQUEUR
100ML STRONG HOT BLACK COFFEE TOP OFF WITH VANILLA INFUSED WHIPPED CREAM AND GRATED TONKA BEAN
C O C K T A I L S B Y T H E S E A S O N S C U R A T E D B Y A L L Y
A huge shout-out to the legends at Hope Distillery, who opened their space to bring these elemental sips to life.
So whether you’re sipping sunshine or stirring up warmth in this windy city there’s a drink here for every season, and every element of you.
WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT ISSUE?
Wehadanartistlinedupforthisissue—andthen theyghostedus.Sowethought…whynotopenthe spacetoyou? Whetheryou'reacreativewithafireconcept,orjust someonewhowantstolookflyinfrontofthelens— here'syourshot:
1.Followeveryonefeaturedinthisissue—ourmodels, collaborators,andteam(they’realltagged).
2. FollowusonInstagramvia@mra2bc_
3.DMusyourshootconceptORbookashootwithus directly. Ifwevibewithyourideaorloveyourenergy,you couldbefeaturedinthenextvolumeofA2BC Magazine—simpleasthat. Thisplatformisforthepeople.Soshowuswhatyou’ve got.Let’screatesomethingcool,together.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER
