The Asiatic Story: Tailoring the Art of the Return

A legacy of precision, hand-crafted in the heart of Islington.

At Asiatic, we see the human body as the most intricate fabric ever woven. Our mission is to treat it with respect, patience and precise care, much like a master tailor.

Our Upper Street locations reflect our commitment to the community’s history. We chose spaces with heritage rather than modern retail units. Both Islington ateliers are housed in former craft shops: Schram & Sheddle at 262 Upper Street and the Bargain Centre at 93 Upper Street.

The Philosophy of the Atelier

Like Schram & Scheddle’s tailors, who valued precision, patience and attention to detail, our practitioners treat the body with the same care. Our Highbury studio at 262 Upper Street still honours the history of the old tailor’s shop, and the gold-leaf sign remains a lasting part of the building’s story.

We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. Each body is unique and responds differently, so we pay attention to surface tension, deeper patterns, posture, movement and how each person responds to touch.

Asiatic is more than a physical space. We carry forward a tradition of skilled hands, local craft and careful work, now expressed through Thai bodywork, remedial massage and founder-led care.

The Custodians of 93 & 262 Upper Street

Since 2009, Asiatic has established a distinctive massage experience on Upper Street, combining founder-led standards, thoughtful design, Thai hospitality, and skilled practitioners.

Our approach is built on years of practice rather than imitation. From our first studio at 93 Upper Street to our Highbury location at 262 Upper Street, Asiatic has developed a consistent standard of care defined by experience, precision, and continuity.

We view bodywork as a craft developed over time, refined through thousands of treatments, and delivered by a team trained to respect each individual client.

The Heritage of the Hand

Our presence on Upper Street continues a master-craft legacy. At 93 Upper Street, we inherited the space from Mr Ismael of The Bargain Centre, a family textile business established in 1972. Mr Ismael was a fixture on the street for over 50 years, known for his daily tea rituals with the owner of the neighbouring kebab house and his quiet afternoon naps in the back room of the tailor centre.

Today, we honour that pace of life. We’ve preserved the spirit of the “Bargain Centre” where tweed, cashmere, and wool were handled with precision by bringing that same tactile expertise to the human body.

A Gateway to Literary Islington

Visitors to our 262 Upper Street Atelier often stop to photograph the historic Schram & Scheddle gold-leaf sign we’ve preserved. Many coordinate their sessions with a visit to the nearby George Orwell Memorial House, just a three-minute walk away. This pocket of N1 has always been a place for reflection. We invite you to carry the stillness of your treatment into a quiet walk through Canonbury Square.

Locations

Meet the Founders Behind Asiatic

Our founders set the Asiatic Standard, shaped by over 40 years of combined experience in Thai massage, bodywork and client care.

Ben: Co-Founder & Visionary

An Islington resident since 1997, Ben helped define Asiatic’s Atelier philosophy: bodywork should be delivered with the precision, expertise and individuality of skilled craft.

With more than 25 years of hands-on experience, Ben upholds the founder-led standards behind Asiatic’s Master-Led Somatic Bodywork™ approach, ensuring each treatment is thoughtful, personal and grounded in skilled touch.

Read Ben’s Full Story

Apple: Custodian of Standards

Apple brings a genuine lineage of traditional Thai massage, Thai hospitality and Metta to Asiatic, shaped by her roots in Bangkok and her leadership in North London.

As co-founder and Managing Director, she upholds the service standards behind both Asiatic Upper Street studios, ensuring each visit feels warm, respectful and carefully prepared from the moment clients arrive.

Read Apple’s Full Story