With nearly 30 years of experience, Melanie Nardo leads Coty’s global commercial legal team, helping the business navigate complex regulatory and commercial challenges while supporting creativity, transformation and growth. A solicitor qualified in England and Wales, Melanie began her career at Freshfields as a competition lawyer before moving into the fast-moving world of FMCG with Mars and Wrigley.
There, she held a series of senior legal and compliance roles, developing a deep understanding of global business and brand-building. Almost a decade ago, she brought this experience into the beauty industry, where her love of brands, innovation and storytelling truly came together. Based in London, Melanie is passionate about beauty and deeply interested in the arts, fashion and travel, which continue to inspire her both personally and professionally.
The beauty industry is powered by creativity, talent and innovation, according to our inaugural Beauty and Wellness Law Summit chair Melanie Nardo, Coty’s general counsel for commercial and licensing. With a global marketplace estimated at £150bn, new beauty and wellness companies are emerging at an unprecedented rate while leading brands are being bought by major players – from Deliciously Ella joining Hero Group to Wild being bought by Unilever – as corporates and private equity move to capitalise on this dynamic market.
In advance of our 5 March Summit, we asked Melanie for her views on the seismic shifts within this burgeoning industry.
Why is now the time for a wellness and beauty law summit?
These sectors continue to show remarkable resilience and growth, even amid economic uncertainty, and their future potential remains incredibly strong. This is an industry powered by creativity, talent and innovation, but one that also faces complex legal and regulatory challenges. With constant regulatory shifts, evolving consumer expectations and the rising influence of technology, there has never been a better moment for a dedicated legal forum focused on the business of beauty and wellness.
How does this summit reflect the evolution of the beauty and wellness industry from a legal standpoint?
These industries have not always received as much coverage as more traditional industries, but they are emerging as highly innovative and important areas with untapped growth opportunities and limitless possibilities. Offering a discussion forum for lawyers in this field is more relevant and vital than ever. There is work to do and wellness rituals to compare. It is also a field which attracts fiercely loyal lawyers, who remain in this industry for many years and build huge expertise not just on the legal front, but beyond that on the business side.
Where are the biggest compliance gaps for brands now?
The speed of change on the regulatory side is probably the single most demanding element for companies operating in this space. For new founders or small companies, this is a real challenge. In my view, and even for large, established companies, there is a lot to keep up with across the globe.
How can brands in these sectors innovate responsibly?
Innovating responsibly means being true to the values of your brand and your consumer. Brands that can engage consumers by authentically addressing the issues that matter to them, such as sustainability, will be more successful as they will address the zeitgeist and grow a loyal consumer base. By weaving these values into all stages of a brand, from development to manufacture to marketing, a brand can continue to innovate without losing its identity.
What excites you most about what’s ahead for this industry?
At a time of global instability, the prospect of bringing happiness to our consumers, even in a small way, gives me joy and excitement.
You work for one of the world’s largest, multinational fragrance and beauty companies. If you lost your cosmetics bag, what items would you repurchase straight away?
I have a large makeup bag and lots of absolute must-haves. Therefore, I never forget my bag, as having to get replacements is a nightmare. In it, there are a few key items. Concealer is a must-have. Foundation is not needed, but a good, solid concealer is.
My complexion is very fair, so I cannot live without a blush or bronzer, ideally both. Whilst I still use my all-time classic Guerlain bronzer (a favourite long before I started at Coty), I have recently fallen in love with CoverGirl’s Skin Enhancer baked bronzer.
Another need is mascara. I find that it is the one item quite hard to get a good one, and I am literally always trying everything and never quite happy with the result. Recently, I got Rimmel’s new Thrill Seeker Mega Lift at work, more to take home for my daughter to try, but I so love it, I will never give it away! I am hooked!
On the less exciting front, I also have a pair of tweezers, a decent nail file, an emergency plaster and a headache tablet. These are the basics you must have with you.
Anything else you would like to share?
Yes, I am delighted that this luxury law event is coming to London next month. This is a brand-new event that brings together the legal minds shaping the beauty and wellness industry. I am truly honoured to chair this event and look forward to engaging with the leaders, brands and experts who are driving the next chapter of this dynamic and inspiring sector.
Attendance at the 5 March Beauty and Wellness Law Summit at the Caledonian Club in London is by application or invitation only. The event is complimentary for general counsel and members of in-house legal teams from beauty, skincare, fragrance, wellness, personal care and life sciences brands who may register their interest here. If you are a law firm and would like to get involved, please email [email protected].
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