Friends and Family (often abbreviated F&F) refers to items produced exclusively for people connected to a brand—employees, collaborators, athletes, celebrities, and their circles—never released for public sale. F&F pieces represent the ultimate exclusivity: you cannot buy them regardless of budget, only receive them through relationships. These items often feature unique colorways, special materials, or variations not available in commercial releases. F&F sneakers from Nike might commemorate specific athletes or internal milestones; Supreme F&F might include unreleased colorways of classic pieces. When F&F items appear on resale markets, they command extraordinary premiums due to their rarity and provenance. Owning F&F signals insider status—either you have genuine connections or you paid significant premium to acquire pieces from someone who did. The existence of F&F reinforces streetwear's hierarchies while creating ultimate grails for collectors.
Definition F
Friends and Family
Exclusive items produced for brand insiders, never released to the general public.
Origin & Etymology
Straightforward descriptor indicating items distributed to friends and family of the brand rather than sold commercially. The abbreviated 'F&F' became standard shorthand in streetwear and sneaker communities.
Related Brands
Related Terms
Sample
Pre-production items made for testing, approval, or promotional purposes, not intended for retail sale.
Grail
A highly coveted, often rare piece that represents a personal holy grail for a collector.
Deadstock
Original, unworn, and unused product, typically still in its original packaging.
OG
Original or foundational—describing pioneering people, brands, or original product releases.