Livia Firth's new fast fashion documentary will make you think twice about your wardrobe choices

A hard-hitting documentary about the moral and environmental ethics of the fashion industry is set for global release today.

Following a screening at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month, "The True Cost" is making its worldwide debut online. The movie examines the impact that cut-price clothing and fast fashion are having on our world, and features interviews with sustainably minded designers including Stella McCartney.

The film is directed by Andrew Morgan and co-produced by Livia Firth, known for launching the "Green Carpet Challenge" which sees her commission designers to create sustainably-sourced gowns for red carpet events. The project was inspired by the fatal Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh which saw 1,129 workers lose their lives.

The project aims to encourage wider audiences to be more mindful of where their clothes come from and how their fashion choices can affect other people. "It's not a guilt trip," says Morgan in a promotional clip for the film, elaborating: "It's really an invitation to say ‘Hey, there's something really important in the world that you've not considered.'" In another clip he states: "Fashion is this beautiful, important part of our world, but for too long now we have failed to face the growing cost to both human beings as well as the health of the planet that we call home."

The True Cost is just the latest in a string of high-profile fashion initiatives focused on promoting sustainability within the industry. April saw the second edition of "Fashion Revolution Day", a social media campaign asking fashion fans to explore the origins of their clothing via the hashtag "#whomademyclothes." Social media users photographed their clothing labels in the hope of opening up the dialogue with fashion brands regarding the supply chain.

Elsewhere in the industry there seems to be an increasing awareness of the moral responsibility that comes with being stylish. Footwear brand TOMs, long applauded for its one-for-one business model which sees the brand donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased, has expanded significantly over the past few years, adding a bag range to its collection this spring.

The True Cost is available for pre-order from truecostmovie.com. Screenings will take place throughout June in China, the US, Australia and New Zealand.