Imagine trading the glitz of global runways for the serene stillness of a Texas ranch. That’s the life Nicole Trunfio now calls her own, a world away from her days as a Chanel and Gucci model. But here’s where it gets intriguing: how does a former fashion icon find fulfillment in the quiet rhythms of rural life? And what unexpected encounters shaped her journey from Australia to the heart of Texas?
For Trunfio, her 20-hectare ranch in Texas is a blend of romance and hard work. ‘It’s a lot of effort,’ she admits to Stellar, sharing her home with husband Gary Clark Jr., their three children—Zion (11), Gia (8), and Ella (turning six)—and a menagerie of chickens and pregnant longhorn cattle. Yet, she cherishes the tranquility. ‘The peace and beauty of nature make it all worthwhile,’ she reflects. The ranch, complete with a veggie patch and ample play space, even served as the picturesque backdrop for her recent Stellar photo shoot.
Her days now involve hour-long drives 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 rural-urban balance. On a chilly Texas afternoon, Trunfio reflects on her transition from the fast-paced fashion world to this quieter life, marveling at her extraordinary career. ‘I still can’t believe it happened,’ she says. ‘I was so lucky.’
And this is the part most people miss: Trunfio’s rise to fame wasn’t just about talent—it was about timing and mentorship. Her big break came in 2002 after winning Search For A Supermodel, but it was Tom Ford, then at Gucci, who catapulted her into the spotlight. ‘He chose one new girl each season, and if you were picked, you were the ‘girl of the season,’ she explains. Being selected for the Gucci show opened every door: Valentino, Cavalli, Missoni, Versace—‘everything,’ she recalls.
Among these opportunities was working with the late Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi. In a pre-internet era, Trunfio had no idea who the iconic designer was when they first met. ‘He was yelling, ‘Maria Carla!’ and I corrected him, ‘I’m Nicole from Australia,’ she recalls. Unaware of his fame, she boldly asked his name, to which he replied, ‘I don’t have a name.’ Only later did she realize his significance. Despite the awkward encounter, Lagerfeld not only kept her for Fendi but also booked her for Chanel, introducing her as ‘Nicole from Australia’ on French news.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Lagerfeld’s fascination with Australian culture, particularly his obsession with Nicole Kidman, may have played a role in his mentorship of Trunfio. ‘He understood the Australian way,’ she notes. He even gifted her a Chanel bag—black tweed with a gold buckle and chain—which she still treasures.
Now, Trunfio is on the cusp of a whirlwind trip to Australia, her first in three years, to launch Bumpsuit’s capsule collection with Byron Bay’s boho label, Spell. Bumpsuit, launched in 2020, began with ‘onesies’ for pregnant women but has since evolved into an inclusive brand offering denim, dresses, activewear, baby carriers, and accessories. ‘Everything is designed for both pregnant and non-pregnant women,’ she explains, emphasizing the brand’s focus on high-performing, stretchy fabrics.
The collaboration with Spell was inspired by their signature prints, which Trunfio applied to Bumpsuit’s jeans and baby carriers. 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 says.
Her trip to Sydney and Byron will be brief, but she’s planning a longer stay in May and June to introduce her children to a cherished family tradition: the annual ‘sausage weekend’ on her nonno’s farm. ‘It’s a deeply Italian Australian ritual,’ she explains, involving salami-making, bonfires, and dirt-bike riding. ‘I’ve been waiting for my kids to be old enough to appreciate it,’ she shares.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: In a world that often equates success with constant hustle, can Trunfio’s shift from high fashion to rural tranquility redefine what it means to ‘have it all’? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Bumpsuit x Spell launches February 20. Explore the collection at spell.co and bumpsuit.com. Read the full interview and see the stunning shoot with Nicole Trunfio in the latest issue of Stellar, available in Sunday papers. For more from Stellar, visit here.
