Fashion retail giant Mango’s founder and non-executive chairman Isak Andic has died unexpectedly in a hiking accident near Barcelona, leaving behind a global fashion empire that spans 120 markets. The 71-year-old visionary entrepreneur, who transformed a single Barcelona boutique into one of Europe’s largest fashion chains, passed away Saturday while hiking with family members.
Mango’s Chief Executive Officer Toni Ruiz announced the tragic news, praising Andic’s extraordinary legacy and profound impact on the fashion industry. “Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company,” Ruiz stated in an emotional tribute.
Andic’s remarkable journey began in Istanbul, where he was born in 1953. At the age of 14, he relocated with his family to Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant cultural and economic hub in the Catalonia region. This move would eventually lead to the creation of one of fashion retail’s most compelling success stories.
The entrepreneur’s timing proved impeccable when he launched his first store on Barcelona’s prestigious Paseo de Gracia in 1984, collaborating with his older brother Nahman. Spain was experiencing a cultural renaissance following the end of General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in 1975, and consumers were eager for modern, fashionable clothing options.
Cesar de Vicente, Mango’s global retail director, recalled in a March 2024 interview with AFP how Andic recognized this crucial market opportunity. “He saw that we needed colour, style,” de Vicente explained, highlighting Andic’s intuitive understanding of consumer desires during Spain’s cultural transformation.
From that single store, Andic rapidly expanded his retail footprint across Spain before venturing into international markets, beginning with neighboring Portugal and France. His strategic decision to maintain a single, unified brand name “Mango” across all locations proved instrumental in building a powerful global retail presence.
Under Andic’s leadership, Mango developed a business model similar to its domestic rival Inditex, owner of the Zara brand, focusing on quick response to fashion trends while maintaining affordable pricing. The company distinguished itself by concentrating on a single brand identity and operating without owned manufacturing facilities, instead outsourcing production primarily to Turkey and Asia.
The success of this approach is evident in Mango’s impressive financial performance, with the company reporting a turnover of 3.1 billion euros in 2023. The retailer now operates nearly 2,800 stores worldwide and employs 15,500 people across its global operations, with online sales accounting for a significant portion of its revenue.
Despite his tremendous success and an estimated family net worth of $4.5 billion according to Forbes, Andic maintained a notably low profile in the media. His leadership style emphasized human connection and organizational values, qualities that CEO Ruiz highlighted in his statement, noting that Andic’s departure “leaves a huge void” in the company.
The impact of Andic’s work extended beyond the fashion industry, contributing significantly to Catalonia’s economic and cultural prominence. Salvador Illa, head of the Catalonian regional government, praised Andic as “a committed businessman who, with his leadership, has contributed to making Catalonia great and projecting it to the world.
Andic’s death marks the end of an era in European fashion retail, but his legacy lives on through the global brand he created. Under his guidance, Mango evolved from a local boutique into a multinational corporation while maintaining its commitment to accessible fashion and innovative retail strategies.
The company now faces the challenge of continuing Andic’s vision while adapting to an increasingly digital and competitive retail landscape. However, the strong foundation he established, combining strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of consumer needs, positions Mango well for future success.
As the fashion industry mourns the loss of one of its most influential figures, Andic’s journey from immigrant entrepreneur to global fashion leader serves as an inspiration for future generations of business leaders. His story exemplifies how vision, perseverance, and adaptability can transform a single store into an international retail empire, while maintaining the core values that made it successful in the first place.
