SoulCycle Senior Master Instructor Stacey Griffith’s star power among riders is well-known. Those in doubt should try reserving a bike in one of her classes – they will almost always find a waitlist with hardly ever any bookings cancellations. Her following includes a notable fashion and celebrity contingent – among them Millard “Mickey” Drexler, Madonna, Linda Wells, Chelsea Clinton, Stefano Tonchi, and Milly’s Michelle Smith, with whom Griffith recently collaborated on a capsule collection.
Griffith’s spinning career dates back to early Nineties California, and a meeting with SoulCycle Founders
Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler eventually led to her moving to New York and spreading her brand of spirituality and soul since SoulCycle’s launch in 2006.
Last month, she also launched a weekly motivational column on Motto, and her book, Two Turns From Zero, comes out March 7.
CFDA caught up with Griffith about her fashion appeal, walking the Betsey Johnson runway, and the sneakers she can’t live without.
You have many f fashion designers and executives in your classes. Why do you think do they like your sessions so much?
I think people in the fashion industry love my class for the music, the vibe, and the sheer fact that I give my riders real freedom and space with the music. It gives them time to create in their heads and in addition, every fashion person loves a good party.
My career now has been formulated by many experiences— one being that I was a DJ for a time, and, not many people know this, but I was also a short lived standup comedian. Marrying these experiences among others with my coaching style has allowed me to master the art of “enter-trainer.” Kelly Ripa dubbed it “fitness theater,” which truly nails it on the head.
Each week, I teach 20 classes and my partner, aka DJ DEBBY, creates the playlists for about 1/4 of those classes. No one ever knows if they like her music or mine, but we both bring it fresh to every class.
Where do you see the intersection of fashion and sport, more specifically at SoulCycle?
Not only has SoulCycle become the most well-known and trendsetting workouts, it has also become an influential fashion source. If you think about how many times you have seen a Soulskull, or a Soulwheel around the world, it is astounding. I have literally been in the middle of Le Marais in Paris and seen chic people rocking their SOULGEAR with jeans. There is even a hashtag on social media trending: #soulstyle. It continues to amaze me.
You collect sneakers. How did that start, and which one is your all-time favorite pair?
My sneaker addiction started in grade school— and my grandma Stella can be held responsible for my obsession due to her incredible shoe closet. She had over 100 pairs of high heels, so I learned at a young age that we “collect” shoes as a hobby. My first purchase was a pair of Nike all-courts. They were canvas, with a big rubber toe, and a baby blue swoosh— I still wish I had them today. Nike had my heart from the first moment I was introduced to the brand and now, I only teach in air max. I do not have an affiliation with Nike, and I am not a Nike athlete, I just love their shoes!
Are there any new sneaker styles you desire?
I would lose a pinky for a pair of Nike Yeezy Red Octobers.
Tell us about your recent collaboration with CFDA Member Michelle Smith of Milly. How did that come about?
Milly was a rider and for my birthday party, she worked with my best friends to design T-shirts that had a few of my signature sayings on them. They were so successful that we decided to collaborate and launch 10 different T-shirt styles, and they really took off last summer. It was a fun first foray into fashion for sure.
What was your favorite part about the collaboration?
Watching the shirts show up on the streets of Manhattan was my favorite. I remember seeing a ‘No One Remembers Normal’ walk by, and thinking… if they only knew!
You walked the runway for CFDA Member Betsey Johnson a few seasons back. Describe that moment and how it felt for you.
Walking for Betsey was one of the most fun moments in my life. The entire week was surreal because I had just been with Oprah on the Life You Want Tour, where I had lead 15,000 people in a #SOUL15 workout. Walking in front of 1,200 people at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was definitely a bucket list moment, but I have to say, I was less nervous than most for a few reasons: A. I’m not a fashion model so I didn’t feel the pressure; B. I knew Betsy personally because her daughter Lulu is a rider and friend, and C. Nothing prepares you for life more than being with “O.”
Finally, what’s your dream fashion project?
My dream fashion project is to do collaboration with Brunello Cucinelli. He is my absolute favorite designer and to be able to work with that brand on any level would make my heart explode. If you’re listening, Brunello…. “Sei il migliore xoxo.”
