The sudden death of the founder of Mango and the richest man in Catalonia, Isak Andic, this Saturday in an accident in the caves of Collbató, has left the business, economic and political sectors dismayed. Beyond the first reactions of the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, many have reacted with words of condolence and remembrance for Andic and his family; we collect some.
I met Isak Andic many years ago because my father gave him unconditional support in his early days as an entrepreneur and, as Isak often told me, because of that I considered him almost a second father to him. Over time, we too developed our own relationship of respect, admiration and professional collaboration. A bond that ended up becoming a close friendship, which now leaves me with a very difficult void to fill.
Isak was a persistent perfectionist, an avid learner of everything around him and a person with the unusual talent of making complicated things easy and being able to simplify – and solve – the most complex problems. Few know how to appreciate this virtue because they are not aware of how difficult this exercise is.
Isak exemplified what it means to take risks and create value. He was the driving force and soul of Mango, but he always gave credit to his teams when you congratulated him, and did so genuinely, as if he had nothing to do with it. Generosity was also one of his most prominent attributes in his personal life. There are losses that leave us all a little orphaned, and Isak’s is one of them.
Isak has been the architect of a unique and profoundly transformative project in the Spanish fashion sector, and leaves an immense legacy that will undoubtedly live on in all of us who have had the privilege of knowing him. Today I lose an extraordinary companion. We created our companies at the same time, forty years ago now, and his work at the helm of Mango is exemplary. We have always felt mutual admiration for having shared the challenge of starting our respective projects from scratch, and we have had the shared vision of promoting fashion, innovation and creativity from Barcelona on a global scale; his loss leaves a great void.
It is sad news for all those who were lucky enough to know him and a great loss for the Spanish business world and for the global fashion sector; in both Isak Andic has marked an era with his example. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who are part of the great company he created and which we at Inditex admire so much.
We deeply regret the passing of Isak Andic and send our love to the family. He was a benchmark for the internationalization of Catalan fashion. A businessman who valued the country’s talent. A giant of the Catalan company.
Dismayed after learning of the death of Mango founder Isak Andic. My condolences to his family and friends. A great loss for the Spanish business fabric. rest in peace
Struck by the loss of Isak Andic, who made the land that welcomed him bigger and became his own, Catalonia. A restless entrepreneur and visionary in the fashion sector, he always believed in the country’s talent. His legacy will live on in time.