Fairholme Fashion and Equestrian Couture: Liberty Clark (Fairholme Old Girl 2022)
March 24, 2025
Liberty Clark | 2022 | Black House | Boarder
Cheval Liberté the Label is turning heads in the equestrian world for its unique blend of sustainability, style, and performance.
The brains behind the brand? Liberty Clark, a former Fairholme College Equestrian Captain who has turned her childhood passion into a thriving business.
‘Being part of the Fairholme Equestrian team was such a rewarding experience,’ she says. ‘It deepened my love for riding and also gave me an appreciation for how much quality gear matters. That understanding became a cornerstone of Cheval Liberté.’
Her idea for an equestrian fashion label first emerged in 2019, when she was a Year 9 student at Fairholme. ‘I’d spend hours sketching designs and pinning them to my wall. At that stage, it was just a dream,’ she recalls.
By Years 11 and 12, the dream became more tangible. She credits Fairholme’s fashion program and her teacher, Ms Mandi-Joy Miese, for helping bring her vision to life.
‘We had a project to create a brand in Grade 12, and that’s when I thought, “Why not use my equestrian label idea?” Ms Miese was incredibly supportive,’ she says.
After graduating, she decided to take a gap year to save money and focus on her vision. ‘It was scary at first, but I thought, ‘What have I got to lose?” ’
Cheval Liberté’s mission is simple: to provide eco-friendly, high-performance equestrian wear. From sourcing sustainable fabrics to using biodegradable packaging, the brand is designed with the planet in mind.
‘I wanted every aspect of the label to reflect my values,’ she explains. ‘Fairholme taught me a lot about the importance of responsible practices in fashion, and I carried that with me.’
The brand’s baselayers are a testament to her commitment. Offering UV50+ protection and moisture-wicking technology, they’re designed for comfort, safety, and durability.
‘Sourcing sustainable fabrics that meet the performance needs of riders wasn’t easy,’ she admits. ‘But the challenge has been worth it.’
The journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. During the sampling phase, she had to find a new manufacturer when her original partner couldn’t meet her design expectations. ‘It was a major setback,’ she says. ‘But it taught me resilience and adaptability—key lessons I learned at Fairholme.’
Launching her brand has brought many proud moments. ‘Seeing riders at events wearing my designs is surreal,’ she says. ‘Hearing positive feedback, especially about the quality of our fabrics, makes it all worthwhile.’
With plans to expand into men’s equestrian wear and offer inclusive sizing, the future looks bright for Cheval Liberté. ‘I’d love to open a boutique one day,’ she says. ‘For now, I’m focused on creating designs that help every rider feel confident and comfortable.’
She hopes her journey inspires others to pursue their passions. ‘Life is short. If you are reading this and thinking about creating your own brand or pursuing a career that’s outside the traditional path, that’s perfectly okay,’ she advises.
Reflecting on her time at Fairholme, she credits the school for giving her the tools to succeed. ‘Fairholme taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and organisation,’ she says. ‘Those lessons have been crucial as I’ve juggled university, running my label, competitive riding, and part-time work.’
For Liberty, blending her love of fashion and equestrian sports with a focus on sustainability has been a dream come true. Cheval Liberté the Label isn’t just a business; it’s a reflection of her values and a way to make a meaningful impact. As she looks to the future, Liberty remains driven by her belief that with passion and determination, even the boldest dreams can become reality.
To explore Liberty’s designs and learn more about her journey, vis it Cheval Liberté the Label online at chevallibertethelabel.com
or follow the brand on social media for the latest updates and collections.
More News…
Congratulations to Year 9 student, Mia Geise, on her outstanding performance at the 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Swimming Championships. Representing Fairholme Aquatics Swim Club, Mia set new personal bests over the holidays in four of her five events and walked away with an impressive haul of medals and records. Her championship results included: > 4 silver medals in the 12-14 Years Multi-Class 100m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly and 50m Breaststroke > Australian Records in the Open and 13 Years and Under Multi-Class 100m Breaststroke (SB16 Category) > Queensland Multi-Class Records in the Open 100m Breaststroke, Open 50m Backstroke, and 13 Years events across 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly One of the standout moments of the championships was Mia’s qualification for three open finals, where she competed against some of the country’s most experienced swimmers, including two Paralympians and athletes who have represented Australia on the international stage. In elite company, Mia more than held her own, finishing 4th in the 50m Breaststroke, 5th in the 100m Breaststroke, and 6th in the 50m Backstroke. What makes these achievements even more extraordinary is the context behind them. Mia only returned to competitive swimming in December 2024, following an almost three-year break after undergoing her second liver transplant. Her results at this championship are not only a testament to her talent, but to her resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to the sport she loves. Adding to the celebrations, Mia’s coach Michael (Mick) Winton was recognised for his outstanding work at the Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia Awards, held during the championships. Mick was awarded the 2025 Multi-Class Emerging Championship Coach Award, a well-deserved honour that acknowledges his dedication and leadership in supporting Mia’s development over the past year.
Fairholme Year 10 students Georgie Cussons, Amelia Taylor, Anna Le Lievre and Claire Longmire are making the most of their exciting exchange at Oakham School in the United Kingdom, where they will spend six weeks fully immersed in British school life. From classroom learning and social events to sporting fixtures, the girls have wasted no time settling in and making the most of every opportunity. Also in the UK, Gemma Sullivan has begun an 11-week exchange at Bryanston School, where she is already keeping busy through her involvement in netball and the school’s swim, bike, run team. Cindy Deng is likewise enjoying her time abroad, experiencing the traditions and daily life of Rugby School during her own 11-week exchange. Back at Fairholme, we are delighted to be welcoming international students into our community. Joining us for Term 1 are Sienna Hoffman from Bryanston School and Charlotte Campbell from Rugby School, along with Mei Kawasaki and Rio Usami from Keisen High School in Japan. Each brings a unique perspective to campus life, enriching our classrooms and strengthening the global connections that sit at the heart of the Fairholme exchange program.
We are delighted to welcome Mr Rob Anderson as our new Head of Sport, bringing with him a wealth of experience across teaching, coaching, and sport administration throughout Queensland.
