Nina Morales: Daughter, Sister, Artist

For Nina Morales, creativity has always been woven into her everyday life, from the soft clatter of scissors to the smell of fresh paint. Even as a child, she saw potential where others wasted.

Nina the Daughter: Roots in Family and Creativity

Imagine pencil holders made of tissue paper cores, cardboard picture frames, and paper figurines. These are some of the gifts little Nina crafted for her family with care and imagination.

“They [my parents] always told us the value of something far outweighs that of something bought,” she recalls. Those early lessons shaped her artistic philosophy: to see potential in the ordinary and to transform it with intention.

Family continues to be central in her work. In her “Likha ni Nina” series, she paints the quiet affection between lovers, siblings, and parents and children.

“I have always been surrounded by love. It is a great privilege to grow up in an environment that values art and creation. Naturally my gratitude for the gift of family is reflected in my art,” she says.

Her creativity also carries a sense of purpose beyond self-expression. Being part of campaigns like Lennon Group’s All We Need is Love last February reminds her that art can move people while serving a greater good.

“Art has changed my life in many ways, so I will take every chance to pay it forward,” she reflects.

Nina the Sister: A Life and Business Partnership

Collaboration extends to Nina’s professional life. She currently co-runs Nin and Yang, a sustainable fashion brand, with her older sister, Thea.

Work, according to her, is “an extension of the play we shared growing up. Adulting is a lot less scary when you have your big sister by your side.”

Their individual strengths—her creative direction alongside Thea handling operations—complement each other. 

“All our designs are a product of our collaboration,” she says, “but we truly balance each other out. That is why our brand name is ‘Nin & Yang.’ It embodies how two opposites can work together to achieve something meaningful.”

Nina the Artist: Creativity Across Mediums

When it comes to art, Nina Morales refuses to be confined to one outlet.

“Yes, I am an artist, and yes, I am a designer. I am also a business owner,” she explains. Her designs draw from nature, human relationships, and vibrant energy, while her approach to fashion prioritizes multifunctionality and sustainability.

“We find ways to piece together retaso and deadstock fabric,” she says, “with pants that turn into shorts, tops you can wear four ways, and jackets with detachable sleeves. Our pieces champion both form and function, which I believe is a reflection of my mindset as an artist and a designer.”

Nin and Yang at Five

Now five years old, Nin and Yang has become a testament to the sisters’ shared vision.

“I am grateful that our pandemic project is still thriving,” Nina states. “I hope we continue to make pieces that make users feel confident and beautiful, while staying true to our mission of upcycling textile waste.”

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Through art, design, and family, Nina Morales embodies creativity in every form. “I carry the same love for things made with good intention,” she says. “I wish for all my works to serve something greater than myself.”