Isak Andic

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cS_ZM4NsKM

Isak Andic (1953–2024) was a Turkish-Spanish businessman. He was the co-founder of Mango, a famous European fashion company.

He was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and moved to Barcelona, Spain in 1969 with his family. They did not have much money, but Andic wanted to start a business.

At first, he sold handmade T-shirts from Turkey. In the 1970s, he opened small fashion shops in Barcelona and Madrid. In 1984, he gave his company one name — Mango. He wanted to create a strong international brand.

Mango grew quickly. The company opened many stores in different countries. Unlike its competitor Inditex (owner of Zara), Mango used many franchise partners. This means other business people could open Mango stores using the company’s name. Soon, Mango had stores in more than 100 countries.

Fast fashion is popular because it sells trendy clothes at low prices. Big companies can copy new styles and sell them very quickly. Many people enjoy buying new clothes often. Social media also helps trends spread fast.

However, fast fashion has problems. Some factories pay workers very low wages. Sometimes working conditions are unsafe. Fast fashion also damages the environment. It uses a lot of water and creates waste. Many people throw clothes away after wearing them only a few times.

Andic was a quiet and careful leader. He preferred long-term planning and avoided public conflict. He was also an investor in Banco Sabadell and worked with other business leaders in Spain. For many years, he was one of the richest people in Spain.

In 2024, Andic died while hiking with his son. The situation was unclear, and police investigated the case. Some media reports talked about possible family disagreements and business conflicts. He and his son did not have a very good relationship.  He fell from a high cliff. 

Isak Andic’s life shows how an immigrant with ambition can build a global company. But it also shows that big business can include competition, pressure, and controversy.

2. Vocabulary Match

  1. entrepreneur — openness and honesty in business

  2. franchise — something important left behind after death

  3. expansion — public guessing without proof

  4. rivalry — growth or increase

  5. sustainability — business competition between companies

  6. transparency — ability to protect the environment long-term

  7. speculation — official permission to use a company’s brand

  8. legacy — person who starts and runs a business


  1. branding — operating in many countries

  2. distribution — ownership share in a company

  3. multinational — creating a strong company image

  4. modest — delivering products to stores

  5. stake — group of experts giving advice

  6. advisory board — small or limited

3. Synonym Match

  1. entrepreneur — public disagreement

  2. rivalry — global company

  3. expansion — business founder

  4. transparency — humble

  5. speculation — openness

  6. modest — competition

  7. multinational — doubt

  8. controversy — growth

4. Scenario – Company Statement  

Situation:
You are Mango executives after the founder’s sudden death.

Task: Prepare a 2-minute public statement.

Include:

  • Express sadness

  • Show respect for the founder

  • Reassure employees

  • Reassure investors

  • Talk about the company’s future

Use formal and calm language.

Example sentence starters:

  • “We are deeply saddened by…”

  • “Mango remains financially stable…”

  • “We are committed to…”

  • “The company will continue to…”

5. Role-Play – Inside the Fashion Industry  

Roles:

A – Factory Worker
B – Company Manager
C – Environmental Activist
D – Teen Consumer

Task:

Explain:

  • How fast fashion affects your life

  • What benefits you

  • What problems you see

Discussion Questions:

  • Who benefits the most?

  • Who suffers the most?

  • Can fast fashion become more sustainable? How?

6. The Death Inquiry (Role-Play)

Student A – Journalist
Student B – Mango Spokesperson
Student C – Conspiracy Theorist
Student D – The Son

Discuss:

  • What happened?

  • How does this affect Mango?

  • What evidence is real?

  • How should media report this case?

Practice:

  • Asking polite but direct questions

  • Giving careful and diplomatic answers

  • Expressing opinions

  • Agreeing and disagreeing

7. Speaking Practice Activities  

A. Strategic Meeting (1994)

You are Mango managers.

Discuss:

  • Which country should Mango enter first? Why?

  • What are the risks?

  • How can you compete with Zara?

Use vocabulary like: expansion, franchise, branding, competition, profit.

B. Business Interview

Student A: Journalist
Student B: Isak Andic

Questions:

  • Why did you start Mango?

  • How is Mango different from Zara?

  • What is your leadership style?

  • What advice do you give young entrepreneurs?

C. Debate – Franchising vs Direct Ownership

Group 1: Franchising is better for global growth.
Group 2: Direct ownership gives better control.

Students must:

  • Use at least 5 vocabulary words

  • Give examples

  • Respond to the other group

D. Critical Thinking Discussion

  • How should society remember successful business leaders?

  • Should media be careful when reporting about powerful families?

  • Is competition necessary for innovation?

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