Nicole Trunfio: the night I danced with Obama

NICOLE Trunfio opens up about modelling, the perks of being a rock star wife — and THAT breastfeeding photo.

Nicole Trunfio says there are many perks to being the wife of a rock star - such as meeting Barack Obama. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

You started out on the TV show Search for a Supermodel back in 2002. Is it easier or harder to break into the industry now?

I think it’s much easier now because model scouts don’t have to go to the ends of the earth to find someone. When I started, we didn’t have emails. There was no internet. I didn’t even have a cell phone. I remember having to get my schedule faxed to me; so it’s definitely easier.

You’ve modelled for the likes of Chanel, Versace and Gucci. How does working with Byron Bay brand Auguste compare?

Well, I think it’s amazing to see a label from Byron Bay become such a huge, known brand all over the world. When I was working with Ebony [Eagles, the creative director], feeling the quality of the clothes and the comfort and ease, I understood why her brand is so big.

Nicole Trunifo stars in Byron Bay label Auguste’s latest campaign. Picture: Trevor King

The campaign was shot at Red Rock Canyon. How do you maintain your cool in 40-degree heat?

I grew up in the bush in Western Australia, where it’s 40 degrees most days. I get booked for jobs where you have to wear fur in the middle of New York City in summer because I don’t sweat, apparently [laughs]. Shooting the campaign out there, with the clothes and the hair and make-up, it all felt really natural.

Does Auguste’s partnership with environmental charity One Percent for the Planet resonate with you?

I’m so passionate about the environment! Being a mother now and caring about the world that Zion is going to grow up in, I really think it’s imperative that we care about the planet and balance our businesses and jobs with giving back. If we put our heads together and our pockets together, we can really make an impact.

It’s been over a year now since you breastfed your son Zion on the cover of a magazine. Do you think the image helped to normalise breastfeeding?

Yes, absolutely. I woke up the next morning after it launched and I had comments on my Instagram saying, “This is such an important thing for women and culture.” For me, the most impactful thing came from home because [my husband] Gary [Clark Jnr] used to feel really uncomfortable when I’d breastfeed at a restaurant, even if I had a blanket over the top. When he saw the impact that it made on the world, he realised how important it was to accept it and normalise it.

We can hear Zion in the background – will he follow in your footsteps as a model?

Absolutely not. He is going to be a basketball player or a drummer. He’s a child prodigy; he can already play the guitar and shoot basketball hoops.

Who loves Gary more – you or Barack Obama?

[Laughs] It’s funny, when you meet the president [at the White House], he greets every single person at the reception so you have to stand in a line. Gary is very humble and conservative, so we were at the back of the line standing near Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber and watching Obama and Michelle meet and greet everyone. When we got to him, he put his arms out and said, “My man! I’ve been waiting for you all night.” This was the first time Obama had met Gary and he’s obsessed with him. Then he said, “And who is this?” and twirled me around. So I have a photo of Obama twirling me around. They don’t let you share images – you can’t have your phone – that makes it all the more special. I think maybe Obama loves him more, I’m not sure.

Aside from meeting presidents, what is the biggest perk of being married to a rock star? You know what a huge perk is?

When Ebony was looking for music for the Auguste campaign, she really wanted to use one of Gary’s songs because she thought it would match really well. So instead of having to go through licensing and everything, we just asked Gary if we could use one of his songs, and we did. [To Zion] Are you going to talk through this whole conversation? He’s learning to speak and is picking it up really quickly.

We’ll put some of his quotes in. You post some beautiful photos of Zion on Instagram. Are there parts of your life you don’t share?

I feel like my Instagram is very career-oriented, it’s not very personal at all. I’m a pretty low-key, bohemian, earthy girl. I do post photos of Zion, because how could you not? He’s a healer; his face is just happiness to the world.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Patience. Everyone can tell you how to be a mother, how to discipline your child and figure out the right sleep pattern, but I’ve realised that when you listen to your child, like you really just stop and listen to your own child, they will tell you what you need to know. We go through life so busy and so unconscious. I really notice when I listen to Zion life is easy. I think that as a parent, you have to be more tolerant than you are in life because you’re dealing with a child that doesn’t know anything yet and you have to teach them.

The latest Auguste collection, Strawberry Moon, is out now: augustethelabel.com