Imagine trading the glitz of international runways for the serene vastness of a Texas ranch. That’s exactly what Nicole Trunfio, the Australian model turned fashion entrepreneur, has done—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. But here’s where it gets intriguing: how does a former Chanel and Gucci muse find fulfillment in the quiet rhythms of rural life? Let’s dive in.
For Trunfio, her 20-hectare ranch in Texas is a world away from the catwalks of Paris and Milan. Shared with her husband, blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr., their three children—Zion (11), Gia (8), and Ella (turning six)—and a menagerie of chickens and pregnant longhorn cattle, the property is both a labor of love and a sanctuary. “It’s a lot of work,” she admits in an exclusive interview with Stellar, “but the peace and beauty of nature make it all worth it.” The ranch, complete with a veggie patch and sprawling garden, doubles as a playground for her kids and a picturesque backdrop for her recent photo shoot.
And this is the part most people miss: Trunfio’s daily routine involves an hour-long drive into town for school drop-offs and managing her Austin-based fashion label, Bumpsuit. “I spend a lot of time in the car,” she laughs, embracing the trade-off for her idyllic lifestyle. On a chilly Texas afternoon, reflecting on her journey, she contrasts her current life with her high-octane modeling career, which included stints with fashion giants like Chanel and Gucci. “I still can’t believe the career I’ve had,” she marvels. “It’s like I lived a dream. Why me?”
Trunfio’s big break came in 2002 when she won Search For A Supermodel, an Australian reality TV series. However, it was Tom Ford, then at Gucci, who catapulted her to global fame. “He chose one new girl every season to be his ‘girl of the season,’” she explains. Being selected by Ford opened every door: “I didn’t have to go to castings. My life changed overnight. Valentino, Cavalli, Missoni, Versace—I walked for them all.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: one of her most memorable encounters was with the late Karl Lagerfeld, whose name she didn’t even recognize at the time. “I was 17, and he was yelling, ‘Maria Carla!’ I turned around and said, ‘I’m not Maria Carla—I’m Nicole from Australia.’ He didn’t tell me who he was. I asked, ‘What’s your name?’ and he said, ‘I don’t have a name.’” It wasn’t until later, during her Fendi fitting, that she realized his identity. Despite the awkward introduction, Lagerfeld not only kept her in the show but also booked her for Chanel, introducing her as “Nicole from Australia” on French news.
Lagerfeld’s fascination with Australian talent—he was already working closely with Nicole Kidman—played a role in his mentorship of Trunfio. “He took me under his wing and gifted me a Chanel bag,” she recalls, cherishing the black tweed and gold-chain accessory to this day. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Did Lagerfeld’s affinity for Australian culture genuinely shape his choices, or was it merely a trend of the moment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Now, Trunfio is on the cusp of a whirlwind trip to Australia—her first in three years—to unveil Bumpsuit’s capsule collection with Byron Bay label Spell. Launched in 2020, Bumpsuit began with “onesies” for pregnant women but has since evolved into an inclusive brand offering denim, dresses, activewear, baby carriers, and accessories. “All of Bumpsuit is non-maternity,” she emphasizes. “We use high-performing fabrics with plenty of stretch, ensuring our clothes work for everyone.”
The collaboration with Spell, a personal favorite, was inspired by a pair of their jeans. “We don’t do prints at Bumpsuit, so we wanted to partner with a brand that excels at them,” she explains. The capsule line 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 says.
Trunfio’s trip to Sydney and Byron will be brief, but she’s already planning 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,’ held on her nonno’s farm. “It’s an Italian Australian ritual with salami-making, bonfires, and dirt-bike riding,” she shares. “I’m bringing my kids for the first time—I’ve been waiting until they’re old enough to appreciate it.”
As for Clark, who’s been her partner for a decade, he might join part of the trip depending on his tour schedule. “Last summer, we traveled Europe and the US with him—it was wild,” she recalls. “The kids loved the tour bus and experiencing a new city every night.”
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.
Final thought: As Trunfio seamlessly blends her high-fashion past with her grounded present, she challenges us to rethink success. Is it the glamour of the runway or the simplicity of family and nature that truly fulfills? Share your perspective below—we’d love to hear from you!
