I think if an image speaks 'a thousand words' it does not need additional information or background. Some pictures are so carefully and professionaly composed and thought through, that you know what it is about. This can be the case as well with fashion images. When the right elements are added in the picture one will know what it is about.

However I think you need pretty strong directing in order to produce such pictures. So I guess it depends on the situation.

I would question whether many people follow fashion brands through social media at all, there has been a rise in evidence on how companies pay social media companies to promote their brand for them and that companies can additionally buy 'followers".

However, if somebody is seen to be following a brand through social media, and particularly a fashion brand, it's appearance on that the social media site will be of sole importance. The people who follow these brands not only want to show they like the brand but also appear to know a lot of fashion to the people who follow them, thus if the imagery of the brand is awful it not only makes the brand look bad but also the people who follow the brand.

(As a side note: I'm aware of the weakness in my argument, however I thought I'd try get this debate going, I can only commend the debate creator for the excellent introduction that they have provided.)

I think images are of major importance to stimulate any reaction, as for grabbing the consumer's attention. I think images stimulate our brain more than words. Especially when using social media people often scroll down their feed and don't bother reading words unless ' the eye' catches something interesting. This is the point where they will engage in reading. So in my opinion i believe that stand alone images can definitely be enough to attract people to be aware and get interested in a brand.

I think in a world where we are bombarded with all the stories to support certain brands, it is nice to not have content. When I see image content of a fashion brand, I can immediately see if it’s the kind of brand for me or not, just by looking at the images. I don’t feel like a story is going to change that. For example I love shopping at Primark and I like the image content of this brand. But a story would not make me buy the clothes more or less. I also would not make me more likely to follow them on social media.

However with nice image content, I can visualize with what I can combine the clothes, where I want to wear them and how it would make me feel. I don’t need a story to tell me that, I can use my own imagination. The reason for me to follow a fashion brand on Social media is therefore not “their story” or their brand, but the extent to which I can identify myself with the clothes.

It's a bit hard for me to answer this question, since I am not that formiliar with following fashion brands. I do think though, that the majority would follow a fashion brand on social media because of the pictures. Some written content is a bonus, but it's all about the outfits (images) right? Of you have some kick ass images and other graphic content more people will follow you, than if you would have a 'attractive' content only.

For me personally it would be enough. I do not care that much about fashion, but I can however appreciate a nice outfit. So for me just looking at pictures of beautiful clothing without a background story would be enough. I can image that it would be different for the ‘’fashionista’s’’ who would want to know who designed and made the clothing, where they can buy it etc. That is not the case for me personally.

It would be enough for me to follow fashion brand by solely checking their attractive images. I can appreciate nice images without knowing their background, especially on social media where I go to for entertainment and social activities.

I think that an attractive image is just a small part of the bigger picture (pun intended) . Would I follow a fashion brand purely for its amazing artwork or image content? No. But would I follow a fashion brand with attractive image content but who is also able to convey its message in an attractive way, and thus in general make it an interesting brand for me, then yes. I do agree that attractive image content is important, but only to a certain extent.

It can be enough. Have a look at the success of brands active on platforms such as Pinterest and Tumbr. Text is needed for a person to actually purchase an item of the brand. However, if it's only about following a brand, an image or attractive model would probably do the trick.

I think it can be, as long as your incentive is to get cool inspirational images as newsfeed. It really depends on why you followed the brand in the first place. I am personally very attracted to such fashion images and I can enjoy them alone without any supportive information. On the other hand, If my intention is to actually purchase from that brand, my decision would require more than just nice images from them. Yet, there is a difference between following a fashion brand just because your general interests include fashion and following it because of being interested in the brand and its products in particular.

I am not into fashion brands (on social media) myself but if I was, attractive image content would be all I need to follow the brand. Especially in fashion I believe that images should be that expressive that no additional text is required. Just look through some fashion magazines, they just consist of images basically. That is the "language" fashion speaks and thus I am convinced that attractive image content is appealing enough.

I am a very visual type of person, meaning I can definitely be pleased with picture content only. Fashion is all about the look anyways, so I feel that a fashion brand needs to be able to translate what it stands for on camera. Editorials in magazines also always succeed in delivering the emotion and feeling with only pictures. So therefore yes, attractive image content is enough for me to follow a brand on social media.

Generally, I would say attractive images are enough to promote a fashion brand, but if this particular brand has a bigger brand story it can be more effectively to communicate this with more tools.

Fashion brands are all about looks. Therefore an image might be enough to know if you are attracted to a fashion brand or not. Fashion brands are trying to sell clothing. Each brand has their own look and their own style which can be displayed by pictures. Text content is not really relevant as they are not trying to sell a story. The only text content that might be relevant for consumers is where they can buy it and how much it costs. Therefore it can be said that attractive image content is enough to follow a fashion brand on social media.

Personally, for a fashion brand follower I think that the images are the main driver of interest. Afterall, fashion cannot be described with words, it must be seen in order to be evaluated. Fashion brands can introduce more material to the images like what material is used to make the dress/clothing, etc. But I think it depends on what kind of people are the majority of the followers. Are they just fans and want to know the development of the company appertoire, or are they potential buyers. This really makes a difference when deciding on the content of a social media page.