Tailored for success: Building the first Kentucky Fashion House

Entering the ALBERT COUTURE “The House” in downtown Lexington, customers are instantly met with an immediate sense of refined luxury.

Albert Lukonga posing in his store in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

The hand-stitched shoes, swatches of hand-picked fabrics and brand-embossed bags all reflect Albert Lukonga’s belief that clothing is a way to feel confident.

For Lukonga, his handcrafted suits and wide variety of accessories are individual pieces that showcase not only his passion but his “addiction.”

Growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with nine siblings, Lukonga said his home country built his outlook on life.

“I understand what it's like to have nothing, so I understand I've got nothing else to lose,” Lukonga said. “I've always looked at one thing as what it can also become, rather than just what it is."

He carried this mindset with him as his family moved to a refugee camp in Zimbabwe, where he said his family was left with limited resources and constant uncertainty.

Lukonga said the diverse community at the camp taught him the value of perseverance and adaptability, which helped brighten his perspective as his family moved to the United States seven years later.

“The journey to America was not an easy one,” Lukonga said. “Overcoming our hardships required me and my family to have strength and determination.”

The Lukonga family resettled in Lexington in 2006 and five years later, Lukonga graduated from Henry Clay High School.

Aspiring to be a cardiologist, Lukonga decided to study at the University of Kentucky before leaving his junior year to pursue fashion.

Albert Couture blazer hung on a rack in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

“I've always wanted to find a way to add value to other people's lives, you know, and make them feel brand new once again,” Lukonga said. “Whether it's a surgery or a piece in your closet.”

He said his approach to fashion was shaped by his mother’s discipline and devotion as she worked as a tailor and designer to put food on the table.

“She was very detail-oriented, and I am like that,” Lukonga said. “She was involved in the fashion industry for such a long time, so having that background and seeing her do that work, it shaped me, even though initially I didn’t want anything to do with fashion."

He started his path into fashion by working retail at Jos. A. Bank and J. Crew and soon noticed a lack of quality men’s fashion in Lexington.

“I was never that guy in college who would wear khaki pants or khaki shirts,” Lukonga said. “I always stood out because I wore a piece of a suit. I stood out from a lot of my friends.”

Albert Lukonga being interviewed in his store in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

He started noticing that more friends were turning to him for advice on their wardrobe choices, so he decided to blend his college background in anatomy and understanding of how to fit the human body with his passion for business and fashion.

Lukonga came up with the idea of designing personalized men’s clothing but first, he wanted to consume fashion globally.

Traveling to Spain, London, China, Japan and Italy, he immersed himself in various fashion cultures and gained insights into both design and business. 

Coming back to the States, he returned with both the passion and wisdom to start his personalized clothing brand but was still missing a crucial factor.

“I didn't have a million dollars, so I had to get creative,” Lukonga explained. “I took 100 samples for free [given to Lukonga from an Italian manufacturer] and sold them as a product to fund my business.”

Shortly after, Lukonga said he opened his showroom in Lexington and became the first luxury fashion house in Kentucky.

Lukonga said navigating the Kentucky fashion landscape as an African immigrant and designer required breaking stereotypes and confronting biases within the industry and the community.

By offering private consultations for men’s clothing including personalized suits, shoes and simple accessories, the time dedicated to the designs reflected his Congolese heritage.

Lukonga’s appointment-only, personalized service allowed his business to thrive during the pandemic.

Button selections of Albert Couture in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

This allowed him to expand his collection to women’s wear and bags while he connected one-on-one with his customers.

“It's not about just selling clothes,” Lukonga explained. “It's about the relationship you build with your clients. You happen to sell clothes, but you're in the business of relationships.”

These relationships have expanded beyond clothes as he has used his business to give back including hosting charity galas benefitting the ‘Marafiki Center,” an organization that creates opportunities for Swahili-speaking communities in Lexington.

His brand has also allowed him to provide necessary outpatient surgeries at no cost by donating to the Lexington nonprofit ‘Surgery on Sunday.’

He said whether it's texting a client to make sure they like their pieces or checking in on their family, the bond between them is what makes his job special. 

By connecting with customers and having a dedicated mindset, Lukonga was able to adapt to the pandemic and continue his dream of building confidence in his customers through his pieces.

“I’m not only building their wardrobe, I'm building their confidence,” he said. “I am able to work with the customer to design not just one thing that they are comfortable in, but a whole closet full.”

His commitment to not only his clients but to making luxury and quality clothes is what he believes drives his customers to keep coming back.

Albert Couture storefront in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

“I've always had that mindset, the mentality of whatever you put your mind to, be the best,” he explained. “If you're gonna sell a t-shirt, have the best t-shirt, the most comfortable shirt anyone has ever felt.”

Lukonga said ALBERT COUTURE curates to the customer, so he experiments with different colors, patterns and styles to create their personality through the items.

“We strive to infuse attention to detail into every item,” he said. “We want to offer personal service and those little touches that make each piece special.”

One detail he started with is his lion logo, which plays homage to his roots as he said in many African cultures, the lion represents strength, courage and leadership, which he strives to embody.

“The cultural heritage and traditional crafts from my home country have shaped my overall design philosophy,” he said.

Albert Lukonga showing off one of his favorite shoes in stock in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

He said his detailed products have made him stand out in Lexington with clients like UK’s top coaches, USA Olympians and Kentuckian celebrities such as Mark Stoops, Reed Sheppard and Eli Capilouto.

With outfit packages ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, Lukonga said his clothing is styled to fit the client’s confidence through personalized color consultations and custom style guidance.

This unique touch eventually allowed him to sell his clothing and accessories globally through online sales.

“I realized that I needed to be in the fashion industry, but not just in Lexington or Kentucky. I wanted to be internationally recognized,” Lukonga said.

Now with international clients, Lukonga has expanded the brand to an office in New York at the Ritz Carlton and hopes to one day reach Miami, Los Angeles or even Dubai.

In September of 2024, Lukonga worked toward his dream of expanding globally by styling several United Nations executives and ambassadors in NYC.

Lukonga said that not only will future generations get to see and wear his creations throughout the world but maybe it will teach them to follow their dreams.

“I'm more of an addict to fashion now, because of the people, because of the experience, because of the travel and everything in between,” he said. “I urge others to find something they're addicted to, not just passionate about. Addiction drives you through tough times because you’ll figure it out.”

Albert Lukonga posing in his store in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Lily Foster

He said that he would be here to stay because his brand could have a lasting impact on somebody.

“I'm not building this to sell it in the future. I’m building it to define myself,” Lukonga said. “Retirement is out of the question; I’ll do this until the end.”