On June 2, 2016, it was announced that Paul Thomas Anderson would write and direct a fashion drama film set in 1950s, with Daniel Day-Lewis attached as star.[12] Megan Ellison would produce the film through Annapurna Pictures, along with JoAnne Sellar and Anderson.[12][15] On September 8, 2016, the film was picked up by Focus Features stateside and Universal Pictures internationally.[16] In late January 2017, Lesley Manville, Richard Graham, and Vicky Krieps were cast.[14][13] Anderson became interested in the fashion industry by reading about designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.[17]