Istanbul-inspired Mango founder dies in hiking accident

Isak Andiç Ermay, the Istanbul-born founder of Mango, has left behind a legacy that intertwines his Turkish roots and entrepreneurial spirit.

Andiç died at 71 in an accident in Montserrat, Spain, after falling approximately 100 meters during a hike with his family. The company confirmed his death on Dec. 14.

Born in 1953 to a Sephardic Jewish family, Andiç spent the first 14 years of his life in Türkiye. His family retains Turkish citizenship and visits Türkiye several times a year.

In a 2009 interview with daily Hürriyet, he expressed how his Turkish identity remained integral throughout his life. "My roots are in Türkiye. Of course, I feel Turkish. When I land at Atatürk Airport, I always say, 'Finally, I'm here.'"

His family's move to Spain in 1968 was driven by economic challenges after his father's business of importing electrical equipment was disrupted by new Turkish import laws.

Settling in Barcelona, Andiç entered the fashion world by selling embroidered shirts made from Şile cloth with his brother Nahman.

By the age of 17, he was a budding entrepreneur, selling at flea markets before opening his first stores in 1979.

Despite living most of his life in Spain, Andiç's ties to Istanbul and Türkiye remained unbroken. He frequently visited the city, often hosting Spanish political and media figures on tours of the Bosphorus. Spain's El Pais newspaper wrote, "It all started with the entrepreneurial spirit of Isak Andiç, who came from Türkiye."

"Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in the world," he said, describing how he loved the food, colors and smells of his birthplace. He even imported Turkish staples such as bulgur, whole grains made from cracked wheat; meatballs from the famous Beyti...