Andik sobbednon-executive chairman and founder Mangadied on Saturday. Tony Ruiz, chief executive of the Spanish retailer, confirmed that the cause of death was an accident. Andich was 71 years old. Media reports indicate that Andic tragically fell nearly 500 feet into a cave in the Montserrat mountain range near Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, while on an excursion with his family.
FILE – Isak Andic, founder of Spanish fashion brand Mango, arrives at the Mango Fall/Winter 2011 fashion show in Paris on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Andic died after a fall while hiking near Barcelona, the company said Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. He was 71. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Ruiz expressed his deep sadness in the letter, saying, “Isaac was an example to all of us. He dedicated his life to Project Mangoleaving an indelible mark through his strategic vision, inspirational leadership and unwavering commitment to the values he himself instilled in our company. His legacy reflects the accomplishments of a successful business enterprise, as well as his humanity, approachability, and the care and commitment he always showed to the entire organization.”
In 1984, Andic founded Mango, a company that offers men’s, women’s, children’s clothing and a home collection. The first store was located on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona, the home of Mango. In 1992, the brand began to expand internationally with the opening of two stores in Portugal.
“His passing leaves a huge void, but we are all, in a way, his legacy and a testament to his achievements. It is our responsibility, and the best tribute we can pay to Isak, to make sure that Mango remains the project that Isak envisioned and that he would be proud of. In these extremely difficult times, we share the family’s grief as our own,” Ruiz concluded.
Marta Ortega Perez, chairman of Zara’s parent company Inditex, offered her condolences, saying: “This is such tragic news for all those who were lucky enough to know Isak Andic. It is also a huge loss for the Spanish business world and the global fashion sector – in both worlds his contribution defined an era. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone who is part of the great company he built and which we at Inditex admire so much.”
Madrid, Dec 15 (IANS) Isak Andic, founder of global fashion chain Mango, has died after falling off a cliff in Spain, the company announced.
At X, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised “Andic’s excellent work and business vision, which have turned his Spanish brand into a global benchmark in fashion.”
Andic was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1953. Andic’s family emigrated to Barcelona in 1969. Andic’s success in building an international giant is clear: in 2023, Mango’s turnover amounted to more than 3.1 billion euros, which is 15 percent more than in 2022. Net income more than doubled to €172 million. Earlier this year, Mango unveiled a new two-year strategic plan called 4E.
The goal is for sales to exceed 4 billion euros by 2026. The company plans to achieve this goal by opening more than 500 new stores and raising the value of the brand.
Mango currently employs more than 15,500 people and operates approximately 2,800 stores in more than 120 markets worldwide. The brand’s online activity is significant, with international business accounting for nearly 80 percent of its turnover.
In April, Mango launched a high-profile collaboration with Victoria Beckham, which presented a collection of tailoring, slip dresses, knitwear and accessories in a muted palette of summery “island” colors.
