Isak Andic, founding father of Mango vogue chain, dies in cave accident

Isak Andic, the billionaire founding father of excessive avenue vogue chain Mango, died in an accident on Saturday whereas exploring caves close to Barcelona.

Spanish media reported the 71-year-old fell down a ravine to his loss of life whereas mountain climbing in caves which might be a part of a mountain vary.

Andic was together with his son and different members of the family when he fell, in keeping with the El Pais newspaper, triggering a big emergency response.

The Turkish-born businessman based Mango with the assistance of his brother, Nahman, in Barcelona in 1984 and the chain now operates nearly 3,000 shops in 120 international locations. Forbes estimated Andic’s internet price to be $4.5bn (£3.6bn).

Andic reportedly fell down a 150-metre ravine whereas mountain climbing in an space of the Montserrat mountains recognized for its deep caves.

Police had been referred to as at round 13:00 native time (12:00 GMT), and a helicopter and specialised mountain unit was despatched to the scene, El Pais reported.

Mango CEO Toni Ruiz mentioned in an announcement: “His departure leaves an enormous void however all of us are, in a roundabout way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements.

“It’s as much as us, and that is the perfect tribute we are able to make to Isak and which we’ll fulfil, to make sure that Mango continues to be the venture that Isak aspired to and of which he would really feel proud.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed Andic died in an accident on the Salnitre de Collbató caves.

“All my love and recognition in your nice work and enterprise imaginative and prescient, which has turned this Spanish agency right into a world chief in vogue,” Sanchez mentioned.

The president of Catalonia’s authorities, Salvador Illa Roca, mentioned he was “dismayed by the loss” and described Andic as a “dedicated businessman” who “contributed to creating Catalonia nice and projecting it to the world”.

Andic moved to north-eastern Spain’s Catalonia area within the Sixties together with his household and was a non-executive chairman of the corporate when he died. Mango had a turnover of €3.1bn (£2.6bn) in 2023.

He was seen as having a rivalry with Zara founder Amancio Ortega, one other Spanish vogue billionaire.

The model’s reputation within the UK was boosted in 2011 when British mannequin Kate Moss was introduced because the face of Mango.