Biography

Tanya "Nena Soul Fly" Melendez is a Califronia native, born and raised in Highland Park and of Puerto Rican descent. She was raised in an all female household, receiving guidance from her mother and grandmother who primarily supported her growing up. Tanya's family ties play a very important role in the ways in which she approaches her career and lifestyle as a fashion designer and artist within the East L.A. community. Her background is so influential in her creativity to the extent that she adopted the nickname "Nena Soul Fly" to brand herself as an artist. The word "Nena" is a Spanish word meaning "girl," a friendly nickname that Tias, or aunties, call young girls in the family as name of endearment. Tied to "Nena," Tanya added the words "Soul Fly," to symbolize the inherent ability that all people have to emrbace their own personal freedom. Together, the name "Nena Soul Fly" stands for the freedom and empowerment of women, especially women of color who historically have been marginalized in many aspects of society, particularly that of the art and music industries. Thus, it is Nena Soul Fly's mission as a fashionista and artist to recognize the freedom that comes with embracing feminity by creating designs that allow women to feel liberated in their own skin.