Walking through the expansive grasslands of her Texas property, Nicole Trunfio finds herself a world away from her Wheatbelt beginnings in Merredin, yet remarkably at home. The Australian supermodel-turned-entrepreneur has traded international runways for ranch life, creating an unexpected parallel between her childhood and current reality.
From Perth Discovery to Global Catwalks
Trunfio's modelling career began at just 16 when she was discovered by legendary Perth scout Christine Fox while shopping on Queen Street. This fateful encounter led to her victory in the 2002 Search For A Supermodel reality show, catapulting the teenager to New York and international fashion prominence.
The transition from regular WA teenager to fashion elite happened at breathtaking speed. "It feels like it happened in the blink of an eye," Trunfio reflects. "I was holding on to the edge of my seat, trying to do the best that I could and not mess anything up."
Her career quickly skyrocketed with campaigns for luxury houses including Chanel and Dior, Tom Ford runway appearances, and numerous magazine covers. She joined the ranks of other successful West Australian exports like Gemma Ward, Jessica Gomes, and Megan Gale.
Building Beyond the Runway
Despite her early success, Trunfio always maintained a forward-thinking approach. "I was told that modelling had a five-year shelf life, so I was always thinking about what was next," she explains.
This mindset led her to study sociology, 20th century literature, film, acting, and business at New York's The New School while continuing her modelling career. She diversified into television, serving as a mentor on the US version of Make Me A Supermodel with Tyson Beckford in 2009 and later as a judge on The Face Australia, where her famous clashes with Naomi Campbell became social media fodder.
Her personal life also flourished during this period when she met and fell in love with Texan blues musician Gary Clark Jr. The couple welcomed their first child, Zion, in 2015, married in Palm Springs the following year, and had daughter Gia two years later.
Pregnancy Sparks Multi-Million Dollar Business
It was during her third pregnancy with daughter Ella, born in 2020, that Trunfio identified a gap in the market that would become her most significant career pivot. Frustrated with uncomfortable and unflattering maternity options, she created what would eventually become Bumpsuit.
"I was just tired of feeling like I either had to wear naff maternity clothes or wear clothes that looked like I was a sausage shoved into a casing," Trunfio recalls. "At the time, I was raising two kids, my husband was always away, and I was breastfeeding through the night."
Her solution was a stretchy, comfortable base layer that could transition from sleepwear to daytime chic with minimal effort. What began as a personal survival project quickly revealed its commercial potential. "Someone said, 'why are you hiding this from the world? Women need that'. And they were right."
Bumpsuit has since grown into a multi-million dollar success, building a global community of women who appreciate the brand's practical yet stylish approach to maternity wear.
Ranch Life and Australian Connections
Today, Trunfio cherishes life on her Texas ranch with Clark Jr and their three children, describing it as a "safe haven under the stars and the Texas sun." The property allows her to reconnect with her agricultural roots. "I grew up on a farm, and I love getting my hands dirty. Mowing the lawn, planting trees — I even built my kids' playscape," she laughs.
Despite her international success, Trunfio maintains strong ties to Australia. She surrounds herself with "as many Australians as possible" and brings Australian coffee into her office daily. Her affection for her homeland will extend to Bumpsuit with a top-secret Australian collaboration scheduled for 2026.
Her return to STM for their 21st anniversary represents a full-circle moment for the supermodel. "STM was really the first cover I ever shot, even before my first cover of Vogue," she says emotionally. "Over the years I have seen my style change and work progress."
Reflecting on her journey from WA farm girl to international success story, Trunfio expresses contentment with her path. "I'm at a stage in my life where I'm feeling really content and happy and grateful — completely at peace. I'm proud of my journey. I don't have any regrets."
