A2BC Vol.4 The 4th Element

A2BC MAG

Content Content CHAPTER IIII CHAPTER Earth

CHAPTER II CHAPTER fire

CHAPTER IV CHAPTER IV air

CHAPTER IIIIII CHAPTER water

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.

C. 2B A MR

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.

@BERENICE_BARBIER_

"What is life without a little fire?" J.R.R. Tolkien

EARTH

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

– HENRY DAVID THOREAU

‘Grounded by Grace’ 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.

“Buhle is effortless — raw, real, and radiantly human.”

MRA2BC

@HICKORY.SMOKED.HAM

WATER

“I feel like I’d make the perfect Water — my life flows, and it’s all thanks to 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 have lived without love, not one without water."

– W. H. AUDEN

@ATARALEIGH

AIR

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.

@STRYDOM_CHANT

"The air is full of our ancestors.."

– AFRICAN PROVERB

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.

Because elegance isn’t just a look.

It’s how you show up — every season.

NEW LOOK NEW STYLE THE 4TH ELEMENT IS HERE

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET – WHERE T H E E L E M E N TS 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 Cape Town spirit burning.

Here, the fire is in the music. DJs keep the courtyard alive with heat, setting a backdrop for 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 stay for.

“You wear your story before you speak it.” _- MRA2BC

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 with A l ly

When the temperature drops, the right drink can shift the whole mood. Whether you’re curled up indoors or hosting with flair, the perfect cocktail warms more than just your hands.

For this issue, we linked up with one of Cape Town’s finest — Alec Powrie, better known as Ally, a mixologist whose skill is only matched by her humility. Ally crafted four seasonal cocktails, each inspired by a different time of year — from the bright notes of summer to the deep, spiced tones of winter. The best part? These recipes are made to vibe at home and take less than ten minutes to prep (seriously — ten minutes is pushing it).

H O W TO P R E PA R E T H I S DRINK 35ml Pineapple Vodka 15ml Cointreau 25ml Lemon Basil Syrup Top with Soda Garnish cocktail with edible jellies on the inside of the glass

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 TA I L S BY T H E S E A S O N S — C U R AT E D BY A L LY 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? We had an artist lined up for this issue — and then they ghosted us. So we thought… why not open the space to you?

Whether you're a creative with a fire concept, or just someone who wants to look fly in front of the lens — here's your shot: HOW TO ENTER: 1. Follow everyone featured in this issue — our models, collaborators, and team (they’re all tagged).

2.

Follow us on Instagram via @mra2bc_ 3. DM us your shoot concept OR book a shoot with us directly.

If we vibe with your idea or love your energy, you could be featured in the next volume of A2BC Magazine — simple as that.

This platform is for the people. So show us what you’ve got. Let’s create something cool, together.

LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER