Nena is a Puerto Rican, born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles. She is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist with a background in Traditional Folklore Dance. In 2002 she began her art career, creating mixed media art focusing on women of color, culture and social justice. In 2005 Nena launched her jewelry and accessory line "Nena Soul Fly", a fusion of traditional and modern textiles and design creating her own signature style. Giving Birth to her son El’Leon in 2009, Nena was inspired to pursue her design and styling career with full force. In 2013 she began freelancing as a hair stylist for celebrities and public figures.

Nena is now a world renowned celebrity hair stylist.

Her client list includes: Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Tyler the Creator, Li Saumet, Sasha Taylor Barnes, Simone Biles, Aunjanue Ellis, Donald Glover, and Ava DuVernay to name a few. She was recently with Alicia Keys on her “Keys to the Summer Tour” 2023 U.S and her 2022 International tour.

Nena’s creative work has taken her all over the world and into the world of Film  and TV.

In 2020 Nena was hired as creative director for hair and makeup for the Film “Neptune Frost”, a sci-fi musical written and directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzyeman shot in Rwanda. The film was nominated for Cannes Film Festival and Sundance 2022. Nena was a guest hairstylist for writer-Actor-Director Terrance Nance’s “Random Acts of Flyness” S2 on HBO.

She was nominated in 2023 for an Emmy for her contribution as Key Hairstylist on HBO/Max “The Hype” S2.

Over the years Nena has participated in various group exhibitions throughout Los Angeles. Her first exhibition " Adornment" a photo exhibition celebrating, the beauty culture & spirit of woc. A contributor to MoMA's (Museum of Modern Art, NYC) group exhibition "ITEM'S, Is Fashion Modern?".

"A La Calle", an exhibition by Rafa Esparza  in collaboration with the ICA LA, 2018.

Patrisse Cullors, "Afro & LatinX Queer Biennial" at the San Diego Art Institute, 2019.

Nena continues to use her cultural influences and spiritual tradition as sources of inspiration for her creative work. Nena comes from a lineage of Orisa practitioners from both her Maternal and Paternal lines in Puerto Rico. A Iyanifa (Priestess of Ifa), Olorisa Osun (Priestess of Osun) and Egbe Initiate. Nena has been studying Ifa for the past 25 years, traveling to and from Nigeria since 2016.

In this new collection of adornments and home decor, Nena is fussing all her skills and practices to create some unique and beautiful pieces to adorn your crown, body and home.

Nena Melendez, Founder