In 1911 the C&A company, founded in 1841 in the Dutch town of Sneek, enters the German market. At this period Berlin is the centre of German ready-to-wear manufacturing and hence already a regular destination for C&A buyers sourcing clothing for the Dutch market. C&A initially rents space at 33, Königstrasse, and has to share the store with other companies. In 1916 it purchases the entire building and uses it as C&A’s business premises. The photograph was probably taken at this time. In 1921, furthermore, C&A launches an in-house manufacturing operation on the top floor of 33, Königstrasse, where clothing is made for its department stores in Germany.