Last week GlobalGrind caught up with gorgeous New York based Australian-Italian model Nicole Trunfio hours before she was to bounce to Paris for the summer.
The former host of “Make Me A Supermodel” (season two with Tyson Beckford) jewelry designer and winner of Australia’s “Search For A Supermodel,” spoke to us about her childhood in Australia, entering the modeling world at 15 and her jewelry line. Here’s how our conversation went down!
Photo credit: All black and white photography of Ms. Trunfio was done by Aram Bedrossian for Love Cat magazine.
GlobalGrind: How’s it going?
Nicole Trunfio: It’s going really good! I’m just getting ready to head back to Paris tonight.
What’s happening in Paris?
I’m actually doing a stint there till August so I’m basing myself out of Paris. I work a lot around Europe. I have to fly back to America a lot but I have an apartment over there so I’m spending the summer over there ― it’s so beautiful, I love it over there. It’s so romantic!
It’s great in the summertime. Between now and August, that’s the perfect time to go there.
I know, that’s what I was thinking. You know what? If I don’t do it now, I’m never going to do it. I’ve always wanted to live in Paris and I’ve been living there for two months. Obviously I have an apartment in New York so I go back and forth, but I can’t wait to go back ― it’s so beautiful ― something everybody should do, you know?
Your Australian accent is so faint. You’re becoming Americanized!
When I go Down Under, it really comes back so much more! I’ve been living in New York City for seven years and every time I try and speak to someone ― when I used to speak to someone in my Australian accent, I’d have to repeat myself constantly because my accent was really Australian. I manipulated my voice so I didn’t have to repeat myself. I articulate my words better. But I’m Italian ― I grew up in the middle of Australia and I didn’t really have a normal Australian accent to begin with. What people don’t realize is there are so many different types of Australian accents throughout the country.
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Were you were in the middle of nowhere on a farm in Australia?
Yeah, I was on a farm, in a place called Merriden. It’s like the gold mining and the wheat belt of Australia. It’s really farm country ― you have to take the bus to school everyday, which is a pain in the ass because I could have slept longer.
Tell us a little bit about “Find Me A Supermodel.” Was it a good experience for you?
It was amazing! We had a huge production and all the people that went into that production were so hard working! My glam squad was amazing, I hung out with the same people from 6 AM until 2 in the morning every day for six weeks. Which means I got six hours of sleep max per night. I was so blessed to have such an amazing team around me. We had the most amazing experience. We watched movies in my trailer and had tons of discussions and got all crazy in my trailer. It was one of my most memorable experiences of my career because of the people who worked on the actual show. I mean, the product of the show is questionable, but the experience was good. I was proud to be a part of that. It was a good learning experience in my life. I was young and still learning.
Did you think it helped your acting?
Yeah, in a way, because I was playing a person ― I was a mentor. I’m not a mentor in my everyday life; I’m a normal chick that likes to skateboard and wear cool clothes and shop and work my ass off. So, to be a mentor is a full time thing. My mentors in life are much older than me and have been through life. They can actually give me some sound advice on what I’m going through. I haven’t looked to my peers for advice because we’re all going through the same thing. How do you ask your friends for advice when they’re going through the exact same thing? I look up to people that are much older than me so being a mentor is a full time job. I don’t really consider myself a mentor. I mean, I’m definitely curious about life, I definitely grow and learn and gain wisdom everyday but I’ll leave that to the wise people like Russell [Simmons] (laughs).
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Are you still taking classes with Stella Adler?
I studied at NIDA in Australia, I did Stella Adler and I did William Esper in New York. I currently study with Black Nexxus Susan Batson, she’s the guru of acting teachers. She’s amazing! You’ve probably heard of her; she trained Jamie Foxx and Rihanna and Nicole Kidman and everyone! She’s crazy and amazing! But now that I living in Paris I’ taking a little break just to gain some life experience and do what I love doing which is modeling. That’s what I love doing, that’s what I’m good at, and that’s how I pay my rent or mortgage.
What have you seen recently that inspired you in terms of film and television?
Television for me is a holiday. I never watch TV, I’m so busy. I’m flying or working all the time, but I just watched “America’s Got Talent” the other day.
What did you think?
I was crying and laughing at the same time! That girl that sang “Ave Maria” ― did you watch that? Oh my God! And that girl jumping on the Russian jumping board? I just couldn’t believe it!! There’s just so much talent in this country, it’s so invigorating. All the crazy things people dedicate their lives to doing is profound and amazing. But I get inspiration from film, a lot. I like David Lynch and Harmony Korine. I use a lot of that stuff when I’m thinking about my jewelry collection and in day-to-day life what I’m wearing in the day. I get a lot of inspiration from film.
You seem to be drawn to the avant-garde, the unconventional. Would you say your jewelry line is the same?
It’s meant to be really empowering ― it’s for women. The whole collection is based upon the pyramid, which is, if you study the pyramids, a profound structure. It’s a powerful, iconic statement to be wearing. The whole line is really hard to do; all the designing because those pieces don’t exist. I tried to send it to China, which didn’t work; and I’m very happy about it now. I’m now working with an Italian model maker who’s old and amazing! I bring him coffee and pasta every time I see him and I’m very hands on. We’re actually manufacturing it in the Dominican Republic which is closer and it’s good for me because I can be more hands on. The jewelry line is empowering and grounding for women and when it comes out you’ll see it’s quite a large collection and it’s going to be out soon. Lots of diamonds, sterling silver and gold. It’s quite fine, quite different from my last collection. I’m really excited about it and I’ve put a lot of hard work into it!
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How do you arrive at the designs? What inspires you?
Well, when I was a kid ― I don’t know what it was about me, but I used to make stuff all the time, constantly: clothes, fashion; I used to make stuff. My mom bought me a sewing machine and I’d be sewing all the time. I used to sew my stuff when I was 14. I’d buy from vintage stores and stuff; and now that I’m in the fashion industry and I see the couture and stuff, I think, ‘No, I’m never going to be able to do that.’ I don’t really have an edge to do that but jewelry is something that is so personal. I really like sentimental jewelry and stuff that means something. It’s hard these days for me to find stuff that I really like so when I did start finding stuff people complimented what I would be wearing and I had a vision. I started studying jewelry when I was in school ― I used to make jewelry so that’s why I can sit with these model makers and sample makers and actually tell them how to make a piece because a lot of these things don’t exist, we’re inventing new pieces of jewelry. I can be really hands on with it and really enjoy it. Every single piece is what I would love to wear, what my friends would love to wear but stuff that doesn’t exist on the market today.
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Was this high school or college?
High school ― I didn’t go to college. I left school in grade 11. My principal told me to leave.
Really, why?
Because I was really smart at school and got A’s and stuff. I loved school and I loved being creative and learning. But when I came in second in the Ford Supermodel of the World competition, I got a huge contract in New York and I signed it without thinking. So, I wasn’t even a model when I won that. Ford said I had to come to New York now! They said, you’ve signed a contract and I said, ‘No no no no no I’m not coming to New York, I’m going to school what do you mean?” Then my parents were said, ‘It’s a great opportunity for you.’ My principle said ― and it’s a different mentality in Australia about school; we tend to build our way up in a company opposed to getting a degree and being really expensive and a lot of my friends had already left school I was the only one there ― she said look, ‘You’re a straight A student, you can come back when you’re 21 if this doesn’t work out. You’ll be fine but you should take this opportunity now.’ I thought, ‘What, our school principal telling me to do that?’ It was quite smart in a way because I’ve done really well for myself. My parents were also really supportive of it so it worked out alright. I’ve learnt so much about every industry and become more worldly and confident.
That’s really incredible. That’s amazing that your principal said that! (laughs)
Yes! In a way I felt like they were abandoning me, as if they were saying, ‘Why don’t you want me to stay? (laughs). Why are you letting me go?’
When a contract is presented to you now you actually think about it and then make a decision opposed to when you were a teenager?
Yeah but you know what? I’ve grown up so quickly ― I had to deal with lawyers straight away when I got to the city. I had to make decisions by myself so it makes you grow up quickly. And you understand the dynamics of the industry and the corporations and what’s right and wrong so I really grew up quickly. I feel I’m getting younger instead, like I’ve learned it and now I can have fun. I’ve earned my right to be creative and have fun and invest in myself now.
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Do you feel as if you’ve missed out on some things because you entered the business world at such an early age?
Yeah, but I’m making up for lost time (laughs). I did miss out on my adolescence. Yeah, maybe, I grew up quickly and I had to deal with a lot of things a 16-year-old girl wouldn’t have to deal with but I’m making up for it now. You work hard and you pay your dues and you create a good life for yourself. And that’s the thing: when you’re young you want to go out, you want to party and have fun and stuff, but what people don’t really realize about age is ― I was forced to realize it ― is that when you work hard you can enjoy your life when you’re older and you can create a good structure and stable environment for your kids so they have something to fall back on. I’m thinking about my family and the future. I want to create a solid base so my kids will be okay and be able to go to good schools and know that the sky is the limit.
Can you talk a little bit more about your jewelry collection? Is it for women only or is it unisex?
It’s for women. But the thing is, a lot of guys have seen it and they’ve said, ‘Damn, I want this one.’ I might do a couple pieces for men later on, but at the moment I’m focusing on women.
When can we have access to it? When will the new collection be ready?
I just shot the first images for the campaign with Russell James ― he’s an amazing photographer and a very good friend of mine ― the collection will, hopefully, be ready by fashion week in September so you’ll be able to see it then.
Can GlobalGrind get a teaser?
Yeah definitely, can I give you a teaser in about a week or two weeks? I’ll give you an image.
Would you mind adding my Facebook and Twitter into my interview as well because that’s a good place for people to get the updates. I tend to give it to my followers first before I officially launch anything just because they’re so supportive of everything I’m doing so I like to give it to them.
Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with jewelry when you were growing up? Was it in your house? Did you see your aunties or uncles with jewelry and were fascinated by it then, or was it something that came later on? And can you also talk about Love Cat Magazine, the sex issue you did with them?
Even with the issue of Love Cat Magazine the sex issue and stuff; I’m half naked in it. I don’t want you guys to use any of the photos of my boobs but, you know, it’s quite sexy and stuff. I think sometimes, when it’s a little bit suppressed in culture … I come from a very conservative Italian family and we never spoke about sex or nudity.
I’m quite traditional, in that sense, till today. Even in jewelry, it wasn’t abundant in my family at all. None of those things were abundant. Those are things that kind of made me curious. For example I wanted to know about all the stuff that was missing. Even with film. In my family we had one movie, “It’s Mad, Mad, Mad World” when I was growing up. Film is a huge passion of mine now because it’s part of the things I was lacking in my childhood that I tended to gravitate towards. When I was older I was thinking, ‘How am I comfortable being half nude in a magazine’ and those things are imperative in fashion if you look through fashion magazines. Nudity is imperative, it’s part of fashion, it’s part of art, so I don’t feel ashamed of my body. I don’t feel like it should be hidden in any way. If you talk my parents, they beg to differ. It’s the same with jewelry. My mind is on 24/7 and I’m like a machine. I don’t stop working and creating. My imagination is always going. Whatever I decide to put that energy into, which is the jewelry at the moment, it comes out. Now that we have the internet, I look online and study everything. So, I guess my answer is whatever was lacking in my childhood I wanted to know more about.
What are you looking forward to doing in Paris?
Enjoying the single life, exploring, loving myself, taking care of myself. I’m just loving being single and being in my own space right now. The city is so beautiful every where you look. I’m working really hard. I’ve been traveling a lot over there; my career’s flourishing so I’ve been working. I’m a work machine! I’ve been working non-stop! I love it though, it keeps me going. I never get sick because I don’t have time to get sick (laughs).
Do you have many friends in Paris?
I do, I do. One of my good friends is Laetitia Crahay who is the accessory designer for Chanel; which is helpful, too, because she’s inspiration for me. A lot of people in the fashion industry that I never got to hang out with because I used to go to the shows and then fly straight back. So, yeah I do. I have a good group of people over there that keep me sane.
