Nicole Trunfio moved to New York at 16 to pursue a modelling career, leaving dirt bikes and small country town living in Merredin, Western Australia. It was a gutsy move, not one she necessarily planned, but after winning Channel Ten’s Search for a Supermodel in 2002 and coming second in the international television series, the leggy brunette found herself in a contract with the Ford modelling agency that stipulated a minimum two-year stay in New York as part of her prize.
For a teenager who didn’t dream of becoming a model, Trunfio suddenly found herself quitting school in year 11, packing her bags and settling in the US to honour her contractual agreement.
It was a contrast to the life she was accustomed to. Although he barely let his daughter go out with friends after school or listen to rock music, Trunfio’s strict Italian father gave her the go-ahead to move to New York to chase this new-found dream.
Eleven years on, the 27-year-old supermodel still calls Australia home and speaks with a charming Aussie accent, even though she hasn’t lived here for a decade.
These days you will find her shacked up and happily in love with her musician boyfriend Gary Clarke Jr, who performed at the Big Day Out a few years ago. Trunfio’s father lives at their Manhattan apartment for now.
Giuseppe Trunfio, a former fitter and turner, real-estate agent and construction company owner, is fighting a second bout of cancer and hanging out with his daughter. She says her dad has glowingly approved of her boyfriend and the pair often jam together.
Trunfio has appeared on catwalks for Gucci, Chanel, Fendi and Versace, and graced the Melbourne and Sydney openings of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival.
While she doesn’t get to visit Melbourne often, she holds a few places close to her heart when it comes to shopping. We asked her where she shops and what Aussie labels excite her most.
“I love supporting Australian fashion designers,” says Trunfio just hours after arriving from New York.
“I am obsessed with Dion Lee, Josh Goot, Lover and Sass & Bide. There is so much talent here.”
Last month she attended Australian designer showcases as part of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. She was front row with model Jessica Hart for Sass & Bide – wearing a white skirt and top by the Sydney designers – and wore vertical stripe pants and box-cut top at Dion Lee’s show.
Trunfio is uber stylish in an edgy way – her day-wear outfits match boho looks with rock chic and, for someone who is barely 30, she can easily pull off classy elegance.
Trunfio’s relationship with Australian designers goes way back – she was photographed in 2010 for a Perth Fashion Week creative campaign wearing a plethora of Perth labels such as Morrison, Aurelio Costarella and Ellery. While the shoot took place in New York, it was all about pushing the WA labels to a worldwide audience.
Trunfio was also the go-to gal for Sass & Bide’s denim collection three years ago – photographed in skin-tight jeans showing off her leggy supermodel stature. The campaign was featured heavily in Vogue and again put the starlet in the spotlight. She has also modelled for other Aussie labels including swimwear brand Baku.
Trunfio sat beside fellow high-fashion model Coco Rocha at Rachel Zoe’s fashion show at New York’s Lincoln Centre last month and, like any model, keeps busy with the abundance of social invitations that have her scooting from DKNY birthday parties to sitting in the front row of a Carolina Herrera show.
She has certainly become accustomed to life in the fast and fashionable lane of New York, but a career in the crazy world of modelling wasn’t her plan.
“I never thought I would win the Search for a Supermodel competition, and when I did it really changed things rapidly for me,” Trunfio says.
“I guess my good Italian upbringing kept me grounded. I had to keep my wits about me in such a big city, and if my dad hadn’t been so tough on me I probably wouldn’t have survived a crazy city like New York. My parents’ support and love got me through.”
One of four siblings (she has two brothers and a sister), Trunfio spent much of her childhood outdoors. She recalls riding dirt bikes for kicks and hanging out with her brothers and male cousins most of the time.
Her mother Kim, originally from Dubbo, adopted the Italian way of life after marrying into a traditional family. She bought her teenage daughter a sewing machine, but it wasn’t until Trunfio started modelling that a fascination for fabrics and fashion labels entered her psyche.
“I was a tomboy. It was majority rules in our house, so I didn’t do girly things. We had to play outside, get dirty and deal with it,” Trunfio says.
Now, her life is more about rubbing shoulders with fashion’s elite and wearing designer labels – often on the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan.
“I love international labels like Isabel Marant, Helmet Lang and Acne for their cool cuts,” Trunfio says.
“I also can’t live without sunglasses,” she says, alluding to a collection that includes Miu Miu, Thierry Lasry and Super Future. She’s keen on Australian label Ksubi, and won’t be seen without Givenchy handbags.
When she’s in Melbourne, you may just find her purchasing from Belinda, Green with Envy and Miss Louise.
Nicole’s Favourite Aussie Labels
Sass & Bide \ Dion Lee \ Camilla and Marc \ Josh Goot \ Lover \ Friend Of Mine \ Ksubi \ Tony Bianco Shoes
Where She Shops
Green With Envy www.greenwithenvy.com.au \ Acne www.acnestudios.com \ Belinda (Hawksburn) www.belinda.com.au \ Block Arcade www.theblockarcade.com.au \ Miss Louise www.misslouise.com.au
Trunfio is ambassador for the Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2013, which runs until October 27.
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
