Isak Andic, the founder of the global fashion brand Mango, passed away at age 71 near Barcelona. Andic was hiking with his son and other family members on Saturday, December 14, when he fell off the cliff, as reported by BBC News.
Isak Andic reportedly fell approximately 150 meters into a steep ravine while hiking in the Montserrat mountain range, an area renowned for its intricate cave systems.
Local authorities received an emergency call around 1:00 p.m. local time (noon GMT). According to El Pais, rescue efforts involved quickly deploying a helicopter and a specialized mountain rescue team to the site.
More about Isak Andic
Isak Andic, born in Istanbul, Turkey, relocated with his family to Catalonia, Spain, in the 1960s, where he laid the foundation for Mango in 1984. What started as a single clothing store in Barcelona quickly became a global empire. By 1992, Mango had expanded internationally, reaching a significant milestone in 2007 with the opening of its 1,000th store.
At the time of his death, Isak Andic served as the company's non-executive chairman, and according to Forbes, he and his family collectively had a real-time net worth of $4.5B. Mango achieved remarkable success, reporting a turnover of €3.1 billion (£2.6 billion) in 2023. The brand's UK popularity surged in 2011 when British supermodel Kate Moss became its ambassador.
Andic’s legacy also includes his son, Jonathan Andic (b. 1981), who serves on Mango’s board of directors and is widely considered his successor. Throughout his career, Isak Andic was often compared to Amancio Ortega, the founder of Zara, with whom he shared a friendly rivalry in the world of Spanish fashion billionaires.
Remembering Isak Andic
In a statement on Mango's official page, Toni Ruiz, the current CEO, announced Isak Andic's death while honoring his legacy. Ruiz said:
"His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud."
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, also paid tribute to Andic on his X account. In a post originally written in Spanish, he said:
"My condolences to the family of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, on his tragic death in an accident in the Salnitre de Collbató caves. All my love and recognition for your great work and business vision, which has turned this Spanish firm into a world leader in fashion."
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According to BBC News, Mango operates 2,700 stores across 120 global markets and achieved a record-breaking €3.1 billion ($3.2 billion) in sales in 2023. The brand is actively expanding its presence in the United States, aiming to establish 65 stores nationwide by the close of 2025.
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