Nicole Trunfio

Nicole Trunfio (born 16 March 1986) is an Australian model.
Early Life.
Trunfio was born on March 16, 1986, in Dubbo, New South Wales, to father, Giuseppe and mother, Kim. She was raised in Mereddin, Western Australia, with her three siblings. Her father was of Italian descent and she says her Italian upbringing made her feel “more Italian than Australian growing up.” She would ride dirt bikes and make Italian sausage, pasta sauce and wine with her Nonna and Nonno. Trunfio grew up poor but never felt poor as “there was always food on the table and love in the household,” she says. When she was a child, her father played music around the house and had every instrument around. She played piano growing up. Trunfio worked at Australian supermarket, Coles, packing shelves and had 5000 dollars in her bank account when she moved to New York at sixteen-years-old. 
Personal Life.
Nicole Trunfio began dating Texan blues musician, Gary Clark Jr., in 2012 after they met at the Coachella music festival. In November 2014, when she was seven months pregnant, Trunfio announced their engagement. The pair married on April 19, 2016, at the Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs, California, with a Coachella style wedding. Her wedding dress was designed by Australian designer, Steven Khalil. 
On January 11, 2015, Trunfio posted to Instagram to announce the birth of Clark and her first child and son, Zion. The pair welcomed their second child and daughter, Gia, who was born on January 15, 2018. On February 21, 2020, Trunfio and Clark’s third child and daughter, Ella, was born.
Trunfio currently lives on a 50-acre horse ranch near Austin, Texas, with her husband, and their three children. 
Trunfio is the Founder and CEO of maternity bodysuit brand, BUMPSUIT, sustainable and ethical jewellery brand, ERTH Jewelry and ERTH Swim.
In 2015, Trunfio faced backlash in regards to her Australian edition Elle Magazine story, which featured her breastfeeding her four-month-old son, Zion. This image was released only to the subscribers’ cover of the issue as a thank-you for subscribing, while an image of Trunfio holding Zion was instead published to newsstands. Trunfio’s image was criticized as the media has continued to shy away from images of breastfeeding mothers. Trunfio stated “I think it should be something that isn't a [subscribers' cover]…it’s a huge part of being a woman and motherhood." However, Trunfio was also praised as some readers said “the image deserved wider release” in the interests of normalizing breastfeeding. Trunfio has since used the cover as an opportunity to advocate for a change in the stigma surrounding women who breastfeed in public using the hashtag “#NormalizeBreastfeeding” on her Instagram. 
In 2016, Trunfio opened up about her experiences raising a mixed race son, following the racial tensions that emerged following Donald Trump’s election as President, stating "my son is a product of love and my husband and I are very conscious that we are in an interracial relationship.” Trunfio said "it will be amazing when people stop seeing colour and race and culture and just all become one because, at the end of the day, we are all the same. Nobody is different and it's just a beautiful way to live life."
In January 2017, Trunfio participated in the women’s march in Austin, where she carried two signs that read: “YOUR SILENCE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU” and ‘WOMEN’S RiGHTS, BLACK RiGHTS, TRANS RiGHTS, IMMiGRANT RiGHTS ARE HUMAN RiGHTS”. 
Career.
Trunfio was the winner of the third installment of the Australian television series "Supermodel of Australia" in 2002 and came second in the international version, "Supermodel of the World".
She has modelled for various Australian as well as international designers including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Christian Dior, Gucci, Fendi, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood, Valentino, Victoria's Secret, Sweetface, and Neiman Marcus. She has appeared in campaigns for Karl Lagerfeld, D&G, Sonia Rykiel, Lacoste, Sisley, Anne Taylor, BCBG Max Azria, Chadwick's and Guess. Trunfio has worked with photographers such as Richard Avedon for Kenneth Cole campaign, Patrick Demarchelier for Harpers Bazaar, Steven Klein for D&G campaign, Peter Lindbergh for Italian "Vogue", Terry Richardson for British "Vogue", Greg Kadel, Melvin Sokosky, Russell James, and is the current face of Ulta.
In 2006, Trunfio began several years of studying acting in New York City at Stella Adler Studio. She attended NIDA, and was featured in the Australian movie "Two Fists, One Heart" playing the role of Italian temptress Jessica.
She served as a mentor for the female models in the second season of the American version of "Make Me a Supermodel". She was also a mentor for one of the three teams on the first season of "The Face Australia". Trunfio replaced Miranda Kerr as the face of David Jones' winter 2011 launch.
Trunfio is represented by IMG Models in New York City, Iconic Management in Berlin and Viviens Model Management in Australia.
Modelling.
Trunfio was scouted when she was fifteen-years-old as she was shopping with her best friend in Perth, Western Australia by Christine Fox from Vivien’s Model Management. When asked if she wanted to be a model, Trunfio responded “Absolutely not!” but eventually let Fox take her photo.
In 2002, sixteen-year-old Trunfio won the third season of the Australian talent show television series, Search for a Supermodel. When she was sixteen, Trunfio moved from Dubbo to New York and signed a contract with modelling agency, Ford in York, after placing third place in Supermodel of the World, an international version of the show.
In 2012, Trunfio left her agency Chic Management and signed a contract with high-profile modelling agency IMG Models. She is represented by IMG Models in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Milan and Sydney.
She has worked with and walked for high-fashion Australian and international designers including, Chanel, Versace, Christian Dior, Gucci, Fendi, Missoni, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana. 
In 2015, Trunfio featured on the June issue cover of Elle Australia, photographed by Australian fashion photographer, Georges Antoni. This cover story sparked controversy as Trunfio was photographed breastfeeding her four-month-old son, Zion. 
Filmography.
In 2002, Trunfio featured on the third season of the Network Ten Australian reality television series, Search for a Supermodel, and won, sparking her modelling career. She also featured on the international version, Supermodel of the World, where she placed third. 
In 2008, Trunfio played the role of Italian temptress, Jessica, in the Australian film, Two Fists, One Heart.
In ¬¬2009, Trunfio joined the second season of the American reality television series, Make Me a Supermodel. She joined Tyson Beckford and replaced Niki Taylor, becoming the new mentor for the female contestants. 
In 2014, Trunfio starred in the first season of the Australian reality television modelling competition series, The Face Australia. She was a mentor for one of the three teams, alongside mentors Cheyenne Tozzi and Naomi Campbell.