We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Albert Lukonga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Albert , thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

When I first had the idea for my business, it wasn’t polished or mapped out on paper. It was just a deep conviction that fashion could be more than fabric and stitching; it could be about confidence, belonging, and transformation. The very next day after the idea hit me, I started researching: Who else had done this? Where were the gaps? What materials and craftsmanship would elevate my work from just clothing to something people would treasure?

I didn’t have capital at the time, so execution meant creativity. I knocked on doors, leaned on relationships, and found manufacturers who were willing to take a chance on me. I studied every detail . From fabrics in Europe to tailoring methods in Napoli and Shanghai, while working odd jobs to keep momentum.

The first few months were full of small steps: sketching designs late into the night, measuring friends for practice, piecing together sample garments, and setting up that very first small showroom on Vine Street. I had to figure out how to price, how to tell the story, and how to make each client feel like they weren’t just buying clothes but stepping into a new version of themselves.

The first year was survival and learning. I wore many hats: designer, marketer, salesperson, delivery guy. Every mistake became a lesson. I learned quickly that service and trust mattered as much as the product. That’s what built loyalty. Eventually, that loyalty allowed me to scale, move into a flagship store, and expand to other cities.

Looking back, the main steps were:

Research & Vision – understanding what made my idea different.

Resourcefulness – finding creative ways to start without money.

Hands-On Execution – doing every part myself to understand the process.

Relationships & Service – making people feel they were part of the brand family.

Iteration & Growth – learning from mistakes and scaling step by step.

So, the story isn’t glamorous at the beginning. It was a grind of faith, long nights, and relentless problem-solving. But those exact steps, from idea to first sketch, from first fitting to first loyal client are what allowed me to move beyond the idea phase and actually launch.

Albert , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born in Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo, and like many entrepreneurs, my story didn’t begin with comfort or privilege. My family fled war when I was a child, lived as refugees in Zimbabwe, and eventually came to the United States through the United Nations. I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, where I went to Henry Clay High School. At first, I thought I would pursue medicine, but the more I looked inward, the more I realized my true passion was in creating, building, and telling stories through style. My mother had worked in fashion, and that seed was planted early.

After studying the business of fashion in Italy and Spain, and working retail jobs at Lowe’s and Jos. A. Bank to make ends meet, I took a leap of faith and started Albert Couture with no capital but a lot of determination. I found creative ways to secure manufacturing overseas, built relationships with artisans in Napoli, Shanghai, and Valencia, and slowly grew from a 400-sq-ft office on Vine Street to Kentucky’s first fashion house, with our flagship in Lexington and expansions in New York, Miami, Scottsdale, and beyond.

What we provide:
Albert Couture is a luxury fashion house specializing in bespoke and made-to-measure suiting, dresses, sportcoats, overcoats, shoes, and leather goods. We also have a casual line, The M.E. Collection where luxury meets comfort in bomber sets, quarter-zips, and stretch trousers. Our services go far beyond the garment: we provide closet audits, personal styling, ongoing wardrobe management, and curated packages where clients can secure full seasonal wardrobes that match their lifestyle, profession, and personality.

The problem we solve:
In today’s world, first impressions matter more than ever. People often struggle with what to wear, how to stand out without being loud, or how to express confidence through clothing. We solve that by making the process simple, personalized, and deeply relational. Our clients don’t just leave with clothing; they leave with clarity, confidence, and the assurance that they look like the best version of themselves in any room they walk into.

What sets us apart:
What makes Albert Couture different is that we’re not just selling garments, we’re creating experiences and building relationships. Every fitting, every consultation, is personal. We focus on service at the highest level: traveling to clients, remembering their preferences, teaching them how color and fabric interact with their skin tone, and making sure their wardrobe grows with them. Our motto is Only the Best, in materials, craftsmanship, and the human connection we offer.

What I’m most proud of:
I’m proud that we started from nothing, no investors, no safety net, and built something that inspires others. I’m proud of the loyal family of clients we’ve created, from Wall Street executives to Kentucky football coaches, from Grammy executives to everyday professionals who simply wanted to feel their best. I’m proud that this brand has become more than clothes; it’s become a symbol of resilience, legacy, and the idea that where you start doesn’t define where you can go.

What I want readers to know:
Albert Couture is about more than fashion. It’s about transformation. It’s about walking into a room and owning your story. It’s about family, service, and legacy. We design with love, we serve with humility, and we deliver with excellence. If you become part of the Albert Couture family, you’ll quickly see this isn’t just about how you look. It’s about how you live, lead, and leave your mark on the world.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been focusing on relationships over transactions. From the very beginning, I knew that Albert Couture couldn’t just be about selling clothes, it had to be about building trust, delivering value, and creating an experience that clients wanted to share with others.

Word-of-mouth and referrals have been our greatest growth drivers. When someone feels seen, taken care of, and confident in how they look, they naturally become an ambassador for the brand. We’ve had clients introduce us to their colleagues, bring in family members, and even request fittings for entire teams or events. That ripple effect has been far more powerful than any traditional advertising.

Another key strategy has been strategic visibility: positioning ourselves in spaces where excellence, lifestyle, and legacy intersect. From high-profile events and galas, to partnerships with brands like Ferrari or fine jewelers, to being present in luxury hotels and private clubs in cities like New York, Miami, and Scottsdale, these environments naturally connect us to the type of clientele who values what we do.

Finally, personal service has been a growth strategy in itself. Whether it’s flying to a client for a private fitting, providing wardrobe management, or sending a late-night style recommendation before an important event, our service goes beyond expectations. That level of care is rare, and it sets us apart in a way that makes people not just clients, but part of the Albert Couture family.

In short: our growth has come from relationships, referrals, and relentless service, the things that can’t be faked and can’t be replaced.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My biggest advice for managing a team and keeping morale high is to lead with vision and humanity. People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, but they also want to feel seen as individuals. Balancing those two is where the magic happens.

First, you have to cast a clear vision. If your team knows where you’re going, why it matters, and how their role contributes to the larger story, they’ll work with purpose instead of just working for a paycheck. I constantly remind my team that we’re not just making clothes — we’re creating experiences, building confidence, and leaving a legacy. That mindset lifts the work from routine to meaningful.

Second, communication and trust are everything. I keep my door open, I listen, and I make sure every voice can be heard. People give their best when they know their ideas and concerns matter.

Third, celebrate the wins, big and small. High morale comes from recognition. Whether it’s closing a big client, pulling off a last-minute delivery, or even just keeping the showroom flawless on a busy day, I make sure the effort is noticed and appreciated.

Lastly, I believe in investing in people personally. If I know my team’s goals, challenges, or what’s happening in their lives, I can support them beyond just the workplace. That creates loyalty, culture, and a family-like bond.

So, my advice is: give your team a vision worth chasing, treat them as people not just employees, communicate openly, and celebrate often. When you do that, morale takes care of itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://albertcouture.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorWtDkJiGopkwSLqhMkKO1wfMz12i5QM8bYo_eqQQOIEsNsVcaq
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albert_couture/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlbertCouture/
• Twitter: https://x.com/albertcoutureky?lang=en
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@albert_couture

Image Credits

F2visuals