"An adventure, a journey: the exclusive fashion odyssey of Anson Wood."
A feature report appeared on the homepage of TMZ's official website, quietly making its debut yet firmly occupying the center of the portal, stealing all the spotlight.
To be honest, calling it a "feature report" might make real journalists scoff. It neither delved comprehensively into a topic from all angles nor explored any future possibilities. TMZ's so-called feature was more of a photo collage—
A task even an intern could handle.
Harry Percy didn't plan to deny this:
Fashion? It wasn't his specialty.
Initially, Harry intended to find a professional, at least a top student currently studying fashion or design, to analyze Anson's outfits from a professional perspective—talking about styles, trends, and so on.
But Harry quickly ditched that idea. TMZ's niche is exclusive scoops, and it's all about speed. They just need to drop the bombshell; others can handle the professional follow-ups and deeper reports.
There was no need to deviate from the focus.
So, this so-called feature report was both simple and crude—
A scrapbook.
In America, many girls start planning their dream weddings in high school. They cut out themes, venues, dresses, and other details from various magazines and newspapers, creating a scrapbook as a future reference when planning their own weddings.
Now, Harry was doing the same thing.
From the Christmas morning flash mob in Los Angeles onward, he gathered every image of Anson in front of the cameras—whether in public or caught by the paparazzi—arranging them in chronological order to complete this feature.
Simple? Definitely.
Crude? Absolutely.
But the impact was just as direct.
Each outfit perfectly showcased Anson's personal fashion sense and style.
This wasn't the first time.
Previously, the New York Times published a feature focusing on Anson's authenticity, which caused quite a stir and gained widespread attention.
Later, Vogue collaborated with Anson on a special project that highlighted his personal style. The project was a hit, sparking widespread discussion—
As a side note, the collaboration between Anson and Vogue was seen as a bold and innovative venture, earning applause from the industry. Anna Wintour made no effort to hide her fondness for Anson, so it was no surprise that their partnership continued.
From winter to spring, then summer, and finally fall, Anson's outfits for all four seasons perfectly displayed his unique taste. Unbelievably, the collaboration's influence lasted throughout the entire project.
Step by step, Anson quietly built a reputation in the fashion world, with his style and flair being increasingly recognized.
Then, yet another step—
TMZ's feature, while unprofessional and even amateurish, hit the core by letting the photos and outfits do the talking.
In this context, words became unnecessary. The outfits themselves were the best information.
The styles were diverse, ranging from formal wear to casual outfits, from suits to athletic gear, from leather jackets to hoodies, showcasing a wide array of elements.
The vibe? Ever-changing. It broke design, color, and convention, much like how Frank Abagnale broke the fourth wall and stepped into reality—but it also further highlighted Anson's distinct edges and flair.
Every appearance was a spectacle.
Some fans had noticed something different about Anson, but in 2002, people didn't yet grasp the concept of strong individual fashion icons. Trends were usually brand-driven, and no one thought of following a celebrity's everyday style to build their own look. Thus, no one made the connection.
Until TMZ—
Sure, this feature lacked technical expertise and was no better than a high school-level scrapbook. But it achieved something crucial:
It consolidated everything.
All the information was organized, laid out in front of everyone, and the scattered fragments of inspiration collided, igniting sparks.
Boom!
Now, it got exciting.
Over the past two years, Anson's style had laid a solid foundation. The moment for a breakthrough was approaching.
Like now.
TMZ once again stood at the forefront, generating an unprecedented wave—more impactful and explosive than any exclusive or gossip from the past six months. It soared into the public's eye out of nowhere.
Hollywood was stunned.
To them, TMZ was just a ragtag bunch of paparazzi goofing off, with no real impact.
But—
It happened.
What started as small talk at Hollywood dinner tables slowly sparked discussions on online forums, evolving into a hot trend among the younger generation, and finally entering mainstream media's spotlight.
TMZ kept updating Anson's outfits in real-time, following his journey from the West to the East, gradually spreading this fashion wildfire.
Online and offline, Anson's changing looks subtly validated TMZ's narrative, drawing more and more attention and discussion. Every flash mob appearance sparked fresh anticipation.
Then—
When Anson appeared in Chicago in a black tactical outfit—military boots, a shoulder harness, and a jacket—completely decked out in black with no other color, like Lucifer himself, he redefined fashion again, igniting a frenzy—
In 2002, this was a first.
Vogue finally joined the conversation.
Unlike TMZ, which was amateurish, Vogue, being an industry authority, dedicated eight full pages to an in-depth analysis.
Fashion style, key features, accessory choices, and even the brand sources of each item—Vogue even speculated on the original inspiration for Anson's fashion choices.
Thorough, comprehensive, professional—this was what a real feature report looked like.
Vogue wasn't racing against time. They patiently collected enough information, even reaching out to Anson's team for interviews, before publishing their feature.
Rumor had it that Anna Wintour had considered featuring Anson on the cover of the January issue—
Had it happened, it would have been Vogue's first-ever male cover star.
In the end, Anna decided against it, believing the time wasn't right. Still, Vogue dedicated its highest-tier treatment to Anson with his fifth column in a year, underscoring his influence.
Thus—
By the time Anson arrived in New York, the buzz from the flash mob hadn't faded, nor had it become stagnant or dull. In fact, it reached new heights, fully igniting public discussion.
The difference was that the core focus had seamlessly shifted—from getting a close encounter with Anson to witnessing the rise of a fashion icon.
But either way, the result was the same.
Harry was right. Anson had indeed been hiding an ace up his sleeve.