Imagine trading the glitz of global runways for the serene vastness of a Texas ranch. That’s exactly what Nicole Trunfio has done, and her story is as captivating as it is unexpected. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a former supermodel truly find fulfillment in the quiet rhythms of rural life? Let’s dive in.
For Nicole, life on a 20-hectare ranch in Texas is a delicate balance of romance and relentless work. ‘It’s a lot of effort,’ she candidly shares with Stellar, referring to the sprawling property she shares with her husband, blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr., their three children—Zion (11), Gia (8), and Ella (turning six this week)—and a lively menagerie of chickens and pregnant longhorn cattle. Yet, she insists, ‘It’s so worth it for the peace and beauty of nature. There’s something magical in the stillness.’ This idyllic setting, complete with a veggie patch and ample space for her kids to play, even doubled as the backdrop for her recent Stellar photo shoot.
The ranch is an hour’s drive from town, where Nicole juggles school drop-offs and her Austin-based fashion label, Bumpsuit. ‘I spend a lot of time in the car,’ she laughs, embracing the trade-offs of her dual life. On a chilly Texas afternoon, following a recent cold snap, Nicole reflects on how her current tranquility contrasts sharply with her high-octane modeling career for iconic brands like Chanel and Gucci.
‘I still pinch myself when I think about the career I’ve had,’ she admits. ‘Why me? I was incredibly lucky. It felt like living a dream—did that really happen?’ Today, while Australian models are a common sight on international runways, Nicole’s journey was groundbreaking. ‘Back then, there was no one else from Australia on the circuit. Gemma [Ward] came right after me, and I remember thinking, ‘Yay! Gemma, you’re here… help me!’’
And this is the part most people miss: Nicole’s big break came in 2002 when she won Search For A Supermodel, an Australian reality TV series that predated Australia’s Next Top Model. But it was Tom Ford, then at the helm of Gucci, who catapulted the 17-year-old to global fame. ‘Tom chose one new girl every season to be his ‘girl of the season,’ and when he picked me, other designers followed suit. I didn’t even have to audition—my life changed overnight. I walked for Valentino, Cavalli, Missoni, Versace—everything,’ she recalls.
Among those shows was Fendi, where she had an unforgettable encounter with the late Karl Lagerfeld. In a pre-internet era, Nicole had no idea who the iconic silver-haired designer was when they met. ‘He was yelling, ‘Maria Carla! Maria Carla!’ I turned around and said, ‘I’m not Maria Carla—I’m Nicole from Australia.’ He didn’t introduce himself, so I asked, ‘What’s your name?’ And he replied, ‘I don’t have a name.’’ It wasn’t until later, during her Fendi fitting, that she realized his identity. Despite the awkward mix-up, Lagerfeld not only kept her in the show but also booked her for Chanel, introducing her as ‘Nicole from Australia’ on French news.
Here’s where opinions might diverge: Lagerfeld’s fascination with Nicole seemed tied to his admiration for Nicole Kidman and his understanding of Australian culture. ‘He took me under his wing and even gifted me a Chanel bag—black tweed, gold buckle, gold chain threaded with leather. I still treasure it,’ she shares. But was this mentorship a genuine connection or a strategic move by Lagerfeld to tap into the ‘Australian mystique’? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Now, Nicole is on the cusp of a whirlwind trip to Australia—her first in three years—to unveil Bumpsuit’s capsule collection with Byron Bay-based label Spell. Launched in 2020, Bumpsuit initially focused on ‘onesies’ for pregnant women but has since evolved into an inclusive brand offering denim, dresses, activewear, baby carriers, and accessories (Hailey Bieber is a fan). ‘Everything we design works for pregnant and non-pregnant women,’ Nicole explains. ‘I’m not a fan of traditional maternity wear. We use high-performance fabrics with plenty of stretch and technical design to ensure our clothes adapt to every stage of life.’
The collaboration with Spell, a personal favorite of Nicole’s, was inspired by a pair of their jeans. ‘We don’t typically do prints at Bumpsuit, so partnering with a brand known for their prints was a natural fit. We applied Spell’s ‘Roadtrip’ denim print to our jeans and baby carrier,’ she says. The collection also includes a revolutionary nappy bag with accessible pockets that close simply by folding the bag shut. ‘I wanted it to be the lightest nappy bag on the market,’ she adds.
While her four-day trip to Sydney and Byron will be a blur of activity, Nicole plans a longer stay in May and June, when her children are on school holidays. The reason? A deeply personal tradition: her family’s annual ‘sausage weekend,’ a cherished Italian Australian ritual held on her nonno’s farm, complete with salami-making, bonfires, and dirt-bike riding. ‘I’m bringing my kids for the first time,’ she reveals. ‘I’ve waited until they’re old enough to appreciate it. We’ll be 700 to 1,000 people strong—it’s a true celebration of our heritage.’
Gary Clark Jr. hopes to join part of the trip, though his tour schedule is unpredictable. ‘Last summer, we traveled with him across Europe and the U.S.—it was incredible. The kids loved the tour bus, and experiencing a new city every night was wild,’ she recalls.
The Bumpsuit x Spell collection drops on February 20. Visit spell.co and bumpsuit.com to explore the line. For the full interview and stunning photo shoot with Nicole Trunfio, pick up the latest issue of Stellar, available in Sunday papers. And don’t forget to check out more from Stellar here.
Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think Nicole’s transition from high fashion to rural life represents a genuine shift in priorities, or is it a strategic rebranding? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a conversation!
