'Friends' cast team up to release first official merchandise line for charity

The Cast Collection starts at $20 and features moments and lines chosen by the stars of the show

Courteney Cox, who played Monica in 'Friends', wears a 'We'll be there for you' T-shirt from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel in 'Friends', wears a 'I know' hoodie and 'We were so not on a break' hat from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

David Schwimmer, who played Ross in 'Friends', wears a 'Lobsters' T-shirt from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey in 'Friends', holds a 'Could I be wearing any more clothes' mug from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe in 'Friends', wears a 'We were on a break!' T-shirt from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler in 'Friends', wears a 'Stop the Q-tip when there's resistance' T-shirt from the limited edition Cast Collection of merchandise

It's hard to believe, but 26 years after it first hit our screens, the first official line of Friends merchandise is here.

For the Cast Collection of apparel, each of the six main stars of the hugely successful sitcom, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, have teamed up for the limited-edition collection, which will benefit charities "near and dear to each of the stars”.

The first collection is available for four weeks, and it references seasons one to three of the show; the subsequent seasons will be the focus of future collections released over the next nine months, with each collection available for one month only. The second collection drop will focus on moments from seasons four to six, and the final will reference seasons seven to 10.

A selection of "the cast’s favourite lines of dialogue and iconic moments from the show" are emblazoned on a run of T-shirts, vests, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats and mugs. Standout pieces include Monica's (Cox) catchphrase, "I know!", Phoebe (Kudrow) singing Smelly Cat, and Joey (LeBlanc) saying, "Could I be wearing any more clothes?"

Rachel (Aniston) and Ross's (Schwimmer) on/off romance is a reference on three pieces, a "lobster" design that features their silhouettes, and the image of Rachel on Ross's back before they became a couple, with him saying, "When were you under me?", which he famously asked when she said she was over him on a voicemail message.

Naturally, there are also two opposing, "We were on a break", and, "We were so not on a break," designs for people to buy depending on their point of view. Kudrow seems to side with Ross, based on her choice of T-shirt on Instagram:

The whole cast feature on a fountain design inspired by the credits, which reads, "We'll be there for you".

Each of the Friends cast members have selected charities close to their hearts.

Aniston has chosen to donate proceeds to Americares, a non-profit that "is working to provide relief, mental health care, and medical aid to communities and individuals affected by Covid-19"; Schwimmer to The Rape Foundation, which is an organisation he says he "cares deeply about", that "supports state-of-the-art treatment for child and adult victims, as well as innovative prevention and education programmes".

Cox is donating to EBMRF, a "volunteer charity raising awareness and funding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) a rare, and debilitating genetic skin disorder".

Kudrow, LeBlanc and Perry have not yet announced the charities they have partnered with on Instagram.

The pieces are being sold through Represent and start at $19.99 for a mug, $29.99 for T-shirts and vests, and $49.99 for sweaters and hoodies. Sizes range from small to triple XL, depending on the product.

Back in May, a matter of days before Friends: The Reunion aired, Perry unveiled a collection of merchandise inspired by his character on the show, Chandler Bing.

The eight-piece collection included items for men, women, children and pets.

Perry announced the collection on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself wearing a hoodie, with the caption: "Could I be more me? I'm releasing a new limited-edition merchandise collection only available for three weeks. Get yours in the link in my bio so people will know just how 'you' you are."

Look back at the cast of 'Friends' then and now:

Jennifer Aniston pictured in 1994, 2004 and 2020. Getty

Matt LeBlanc pictured in 1994, 2004 and 2019. Getty

Courteney Cox pictured in 1994, 2004 and in 2020. Getty

Lisa Kudrow pictured in 1994, 2004 and 2019. Getty

Matthew Perry pictured in 1994, 2004 and 2017. Getty

David Schwimmer pictured in 1994, 2004 and 2019. Getty