The founder of the popular Spanish fashion brand Mango, Isak Andic, has tragically died at the age of 71 following a hiking accident near Barcelona.
Andic, who was originally from Istanbul, fell approximately 150 meters from cliffs located within the Montserrat mountains during what was meant to be a family outing on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Reports indicate he lost his footing at noon near the Salpeter caves of Collbató, and authorities later confirmed his passing.
Mango's CEO, Toni Ruiz, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, "Isak was a role model for us all. He dedicated his life to the Mango project and left an indelible mark. His strategic vision and inspiring leadership qualities shaped not just the company but also the fashion industry as we know it." The impact of Andic’s work was not limited to Mango; his influence extended across the global fashion world.
Born in 1953, Andic's family emigrated to Spain from Turkey when he was just 16 years old. He began his entrepreneurial career by opening several women’s fashion stores under the name Isak Jeans during the early 1980s alongside his older brother, Nahman. The brand name was changed to Mango, which marked the beginning of its international expansion.
Fast forward nearly 40 years, and Mango has emerged as one of the largest clothing retailers globally, boasting around 2,700 points of sale across more than 120 countries, with approximately 15,000 employees. The company recently announced record revenues exceeding 3.1 billion euros, achieving significant growth of 15 percent compared to the previous year.
Andic was known for his commitment to the company and his leadership style. Ruiz highlighted how Andic had instilled strong values within Mango, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration among its workforce, which is predominantly female and retains a youthful average age of just 30 years.
Katalan regional president Salvador Illa also shared his condolences online, stating, "We are shocked by the loss of Isak Andic, a committed businessman who contributed to making Catalonia great and presenting it to the world. His legacy within the fashion sector is undeniable, and he leaves behind significant contributions to our culture." Illa’s statement reflects the deep respect Andic garnered within both business and political realms.
During his life, Andic enjoyed various activities, including hiking, which tragically led to his demise, marking the end of the life of one of Spain's wealthiest entrepreneurs, whose net worth was estimated at around three billion euros. His dedication to both family and business exemplified the characteristics of a self-made billionaire.
Despite stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2018 and entrusting the role of CEO to Ruiz, Andic remained connected to the brand and witnessed its sustained success during his retirement.
The suddenness of his death has left both his family and the industry reeling, as they grapple with the loss of not just a talented businessman, but also a visionary leader whose contributions will not be forgotten.
His son Jonathan, who holds a central role within the company, was present at the time of the accident, adding to the tragedy of this unforeseen event. The Andic family has largely maintained its privacy, choosing to stay out of the public eye throughout Andic’s illustrious career.
With his passing, there appears to be not just the loss of a lucrative business figure, but also the loss of a person who cherished his family and believed deeply in the value of passion in his work and leisure.
Isak Andic's legacy will live on through Mango's global footprint and the principles he established within the company. His vision to create and share fashion with the world has certainly made its mark, and those who were part of his life and career will carry forward the lessons learned from his example.
Gone yet not forgotten, Andic’s spirit will continue to inspire both his family and his employees to uphold the values he deeply cherished.
