Madrid: The founder and owner of the fashion empire Mango, Isak Andic, died on Saturday in a mountain accident, police said. He was 71.
Spanish media reported Andic fell down a 150-metre ravine while hiking with his son and other family members on a day trip to the Montserrat caves near Barcelona.
Isak Andic, the founder of Spanish fashion brand Mango.Credit: AP
The area of the mountain where Andic fell is known for its deep caves. Police were called at about 1pm, with a helicopter and specialised mountain units sent to the scene, El Pais reported.
Mango’s CEO, Toni Ruiz, issued a statement, saying: “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 ... to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak was ambitious and proud of.”
Born in Istanbul, Andic moved with his family to the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia in the 1960s and founded Mango in 1984 before taking the company international in 1992.
He was worth $4.5 billion, according to Forbes, making him the richest man in Catalonia and reportedly the fifth-richest in Spain. He was non-executive chairman of the company when he died.
He was seen as a rival to Amancio Ortega, the owner of Inditex, the world’s largest fast-fashion retailer.
Mango had a turnover of $5.1 billion in 2023 with 33 per cent of its business online and a presence in more than 120 markets. Its popularity was boosted – particularly in Britain – when supermodel Kate Moss became the face of the brand in 2011.