United by CITY: The Tifos
Written by: Michael Haffner
Whether you are traveling to another country or journeying back through history, many artists find inspiration by studying the culture of others and the stories that have long been passed down. Lia Glynias Restrepo has worked in the world of fashion and apparel for many years, creating designs that “combine beauty and soul” while infusing elements of culture and learnings from her travels.
In March of 2023, Lia and Carlos Restrepo – one of the leaders of the supporter group STL Santos – had just returned from visiting the Yucatan in Mexico. It was there where a Mayan guide taught her about the ruins and lifestyle of the native people. Additionally, Lia learned about their deities and the animals that are entwined with the history of their spirituality.
Coincidentally, their guide was named Balam, which is the Mayan name for jaguar. Throughout many cultures, jaguars have served as a symbol of power and strength. Unbeknownst to Lia at the time, this mythological creature would serve as the name of the symbol at the center of the scarf and tifo that she would soon design.
It’s a multi-layered design that combines Lia’s passion for creating beautiful patterns, her interest in the feline deity and honoring “the divine feminine,” and the family history that has been a source of inspiration for St. Louis CITY SC.
This is the story – in her words – of designing the tifo for the St. Louis CITY SC match versus Club América at CITYPARK on July 27, 2023.
Symbolism that Spans Countries and Generations
When you start to look at different traditions and cultures, you will notice just how similar aspects and stories truly are. There’s a universal element that makes ideas and imagery relatable no matter where you come from or how you were raised. Life is a tapestry of interwoven threads, and it’s often through the magic of art that we can see just how connected we truly are.
“The first step when designing is to always just think about the broad experience and to see how many connections can be made. I heard the story about Jack Taylor and the Hellcat plane that inspired the bar in CITYPARK. My grandpa enlisted in World War II. I thought about what they went through, and the connections between spirituality and the strength and safety of the plane. But also, how this relates to St. Louis, and the connection to the Taylor family that made all of this possible.”
Ancient Art Mixed with Street Style
After getting back from their trip, Lia went to the St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. On the lower level, she discovered a collection that included art and artifacts from Central America and Northern South America. The Balam imagery was repeated throughout, from Nicaragua to Colombia and the Caribbean. It was a tradition that she wanted to honor as she saw it as a symbol that was important to the Latin culture. The idea of the jaguar face in the design may have started from the strength of Balam, but it also represents the different Latin communities united by this creature that all come together in the Supporter Section. It’s this blend of the old and the new that makes the design so familiar and yet so fresh.
“The jaguar’s face was designed in this tattoo style, which made me think of Dia de los Muertos, and the very intricate La Catrina designs that you'll see on tattoos where the woman's face is covered. So, I just kind of was like building on that. The shapes and designs that you see are all inspired by the molas from Colombia, which are colorful tapestries. I kept adding more colors and lines, and it took on this really cool graffiti, street-art feel.”
Injecting Passion into the Design
“Somos Pasión” translates to “We Are Passion.” While Balam is front and center, the phrase is woven into the design using text that has a lot of movement and energy. And holding up that phrase is one of the most passionate people you will find in the Supporter Section: Super Santo. His inclusion in the design was always more than representing the Santos Supporter Group – he was meant to stand for how much passion, love, and fun the Latino community brings to the section. Super Santo wasn’t there to intimidate fans of Club América, but more to serve as a welcome to all fans to join in the passion for this new team in St. Louis.
“I think that love is incredibly powerful. One of my favorite things in the world is Motown music from Detroit, and that's all based on love. When I toured the Motown Museum and learned that Berry Gordy founded Motown to record songs about love, it reinforced what I believe and that things that start from passion and love are the strongest and most everlasting. Whatever you do in life, show up with passion.”
