While the usual cast of great lines covered by Selectism are showing at Pitti Uomo this week, we’re going to mix it up a bit by profiling a range of fashion brands that may or may not have been profiled. Many of them will be names familiar to our Italian readers, as well as fresh faces from our Europe.

We start it off with an Italian firm Altea, who back in 1892 started their company by producing neckties for the local market. with the necktie form pretty much solidified in premium silks, Altea put their focus on color first. Today, the same holds true in their full collection that begins with color palettes which garments are then designed around. The Altea offering is a large one with men’s garments ranging from their necktie roots to knits and beyond.

View a wide selection of looks from Altea’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection in our gallery.

Photography: Luca Merli/Selectism.com

Today, we head over to Europe for a taste of Italy through the eyes of Marco Ravanetti, the editor of one of our favorite sites, Men’s Reveire. We asked him to pick eight of his favorite items for the holidays; goods that could serve as gifts for just about anyone. We of course get a very discreet list what can only be seen as a very considered offering.

As Mr. Ravanetti tell us, “Yes, I do love gifts. A lot, although I don’t receive them very often. Due to this, eight, is a very tight number, therefore, I hope Jeff will allow me to cheat just a tiny bit.” Yes, sir, you can cheat.

Click for more looks at the eight gift selections from Italy’s Marco Ravanetti.