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Mango founder dies in mountain accident at the age of 71

Dec 18, 2024 Spain

Isak Andic, founder of the Mango fashion group and non-executive chairman of the company, died last Saturday at the age of 71 in a fall while hiking near Barcelona

The death was announced by Toni Ruiz, the chief executive of Mango. “It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive Chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred this Saturday”.

Born in Istanbul in 1953, Andic moved with his family to the Spanish region of Catalonia in the 1960s at the age of 13. He began by selling T-shirts to fellow students, then moved into wholesale, selling clothes in Barcelona’s Balmes Street market. In 1984, he opened the first Mango store in the city, transforming it into one of the world’s most recognised fashion brands.

“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. His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization”, Ruiz said.

Mango recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary with record results: over 3 billion euros in sales and operations in more than 115 international markets. The fashion group has also reached its goal of having 40 of its stores in the US by the end of 2024 ahead of schedule and even plans to surpass it with 42 stores open by the end of the year.

“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 fulfil, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud”, concluded the CEO of the group.

Image Credits: valencianews.es

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