15-12-2024 (BARCELONA) Isak Andic, the visionary founder and owner of global fashion retailer Mango, has died in a tragic hiking accident in Spain’s Montserrat mountains. He was 71.
Local authorities confirmed that Andic lost his life on Saturday afternoon when he suffered a fatal fall whilst exploring the treacherous terrain near Barcelona with family members. Police reports indicate he plummeted more than 100 metres after losing his footing on a clifftop path.
In an emotional tribute, Mango’s Chief Executive Officer Toni Ruiz acknowledged the profound impact of the loss. “Isak’s extraordinary vision and leadership have shaped not just our company, but the entire fashion retail landscape. While his physical presence will be deeply missed, his entrepreneurial spirit lives on through the thousands of individuals who help drive Mango forward each day.”
Born in Istanbul, Andic’s journey to fashion industry prominence began after his family relocated to Catalonia in the 1960s. His entrepreneurial breakthrough came in 1984 when he established Mango, which would grow to become one of Europe’s leading fashion retailers and a formidable competitor to Inditex, the parent company of Zara.
At the time of his death, Andic, who served as non-executive chairman, had amassed a personal fortune estimated at US$4.5 billion (S$6 billion), according to Forbes. Under his stewardship, Mango had evolved into a retail powerhouse, recording turnover of 3.1 billion euros (S$4.3 billion) in 2023, with digital sales accounting for a third of its revenue.
The company now maintains a significant presence across more than 120 global markets, standing as a testament to Andic’s business acumen and innovative approach to fashion retail.
