Fashion, by its nature is a cyclical beast and designers are often guilty of treading the well-worn path of nostalgia for their inspiration. If you’re the type that looks at life through rose-tinted lenses, then this isn’t a bad thing. After all, if something isn’t broken, why fix it?

However, a rare breed of designer is one that manages to combine the best of the past and present, creating pieces that have the appeal of yesteryear, but are fit for purpose today. Mr Yutaka Goto, founder of Japanese label Remi Relief, is one such designer.

After honing his craft working for mainstream fashion brands in the 1990s, he founded own label in 2007 with the express interest of reviving dyeing techniques from the 1960s.

Mr Goto established his own factory in Kojima, Okayama – an area famed for its denim production – and even had a custom-made dyeing machine built to reproduce the age-old methods. Unlike modern dyes, which results in solid, colourfast finishes, the natural techniques rely on amino acids, oxidisation and hydrolysis (that’s the dye reaction with water, in plain speak), to create a rustic fade, unique to each garment.

And it isn’t just vintage dyeing methods that bear weight on the brand’s aesthetic. As a keen surfer, Mr Goto’s interest in 1960s and 1970s surf and skate culture can be seen in the prints, washed-out hues and idiosyncratic details of his designs.

But he’s no slave to the past. There’s a clean-cut modernism to Mr Goto’s designs, which belies his aim of stripping away superfluous detail to focus on functionality. It’s this combination of style and function which led us to partner with the brand for our capsule collection, The Japan Edit, offering a select edit of exclusive pieces.

This deep-blue jacket from the collection is a fine example of this ethos. Its numerous pockets provide a handy spot to stash your personal effects, so you can head out sans bag. The featherweight waterproof outer shell also makes it the ideal piece to tackle rogue spring downpours, whether you’re rambling in the countryside or dashing around the city.

It’s often the simplest of items that reveal the true talents of a designer and this tee from the capsule reveals the founder’s love of surfing. It has the added functionality of a drawstring hem so you can sculpt it into a more eclectic shape. With its quirky print, it’s the perfect complement to your favourite Japanese selvedge jeans, we’d say.

If you’re after more bang for your buck, these trousers are just the thing. They’re reversible, offering two looks in one – probably the hardest-working slacks you’ll find this season. A fine partner to a slouchy knit or a graphic-print tee, they’ll also scrub up well when paired with a soft-shouldered blazer.

The dual functionality extends to these reversible shorts, too, so you’ll be able to save your check-in kilos for duty free when you’re bound for warmer climes this summer. Just team them with slides, a camp-collar shirt and this summer’s hottest accessory – the bucket hat – for full style points.