Nena Melendez is from Puerto Rican descent but born in raised in the Northeast of Los Angeles. She is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist with a background in Traditional Folklore Dance. In 2002, Nena began her art career, creating mixed media art focusing on women of color, culture and social justice. In 2005, Nena launched her very successful jewelry and accessory line “Nena Soul Fly”, a fusion of traditional and modern textiles and design creating her own signature style. ‘Nena’, a Spanish word meaning ‘girl’, a loving nickname your Tia might call you, and ‘Soul Fly’ , embracing personal freedom. Combined Nena Soul Fly recognizes the freedom that comes with embracing femininity by creating designs that allow women to feel liberated in their own skin.

With the intricate hand work that went into these creations, it was a very organic transition to creating these braiding designs in the medium of hair and in 2013 Nena began freelancing as a hairstylist for celebrities, musicians and public figures.  He unique sculpting craft and artistry quickly earned Nena her reputation, rocketing her to her renowned status as a top hairstylist. Earning her clients such as Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Tyler the Creator, Rosalia, Rico Nasty, Ashton Sanders, Sasha Taylor Barnes, Simone Biles, Yara Shahidi, Lucky Daye and Ava DuVernay. Melendez’s work as has been featured on the covers and pages of  Pop, Time, In Style, Document, Fast Company, Fader, Icon and Glamour Magazines.

In 2020 Nena performed as creative director, hair and makeup for the film ‘Neptune Frost, a sci-fi musical filmed in Rwanda, which was nominated for Cannes Film Festival and Sundance 2022. Nena was nominated in 2023 for an Emmy for her work on HBO’s ‘The Hype’ (S2). 

Melendez continues to use her cultural influences and spiritual tradition as sources of inspiration for her creative work. Nena comes from a proud lineage of Orisa practitioners from both her maternal and paternal lines in Puerto Rico.

Nena resides in Los Angeles.