Some people miss the days when the internet made dial-up noises and the family computer caused sibling rivalry once in a while. Nicole McLaughlin apparently misses them enough to put the entire setup on a pair of heels. These quirky shoes might walk you straight back to 2002.
The multidisciplinary designer has teamed up with Yahoo for a collection of playful footwear creations inspired by the family computer room. Shared on Instagram as part of a partnership, the designs transform familiar desktop accessories into miniature furniture, computer equipment, and surprisingly convincing shoe components.
McLaughlin captioned the post, 'inspired by the family computer room @yahoo 💜'. Judging by the comments, the internet has never been more excited to see itself turned into footwear.
The Family Computer Room Just Got a Heel Upgrade
One design features a translucent blue sandal with a curved sole and a tiny green-backed chair built into its heel. Four slender metallic legs support the miniature seat, while a matching computer setup appears near the front of the shoe.
The little desktop monitor, keyboard and computer tower look ready for someone to log on to Yahoo Messenger, provided that someone is approximately three centimetres tall.
Another design takes a different approach to the same nostalgic assignment. A red translucent sandal incorporates a computer mouse beneath its heel, with a thin cable looping upwards and around the shoe like a delicate ankle strap. There's even a tiny Yahoo logo on the mouse.
A third creation pairs a cream-coloured shoe with a miniature pink computer desk and purple swivel chair. A little screen sits on the desktop, completing a setup that looks suspiciously like something borrowed from Barbie's dream house.
If the shoe fits, apparently the entire home office fits, too.
The Internet Is Having a Dial-Up Moment
The comments section immediately recognised the nostalgia, particularly the designs' resemblance to early-2000s toys and computer rooms.
'I know I had that blue/green chair in my Barbie dream house,' one follower wrote. Another declared, 'I know a Barbie interior set when I see one!! Incredible work🤩'. Even the official account for The Sims joined in, commenting, 'Now this is ART 🖼️ 💚'.
Others were practically hearing the soundtrack of their childhoods. 'It's too good. i can hear the sounds of the dial up modem as she walks... 🔥❤️,' one person wrote. Another contributed the wonderfully period-appropriate 'a/s/l?', while a third announced they were 'installing limewire'.
For anyone who spent their childhood waiting for a webpage to load, these shoes are quite literally a step back in time.
McLaughlin Has Some Big Shoes To Fill, and She's Making Them Herself
McLaughlin is known for finding new uses for discarded and unexpected materials, often turning everyday objects into wearable designs. According to her website, she has explored sustainability through independent projects and brand collaborations since 2018.
Her previous collaborators include Hermès, Nike, Gucci, Vans and Arc'teryx. Her work has also been exhibited at London's Design Museum, and she was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for art and design in 2022.
That background helps explain why a computer mouse can become a heel without the concept feeling entirely out of character. McLaughlin's work often asks what happens when an object's original purpose is freed from its limitations.
This time, the inspiration happens to be the room where an entire generation learnt to type, play games and wait patiently for the internet to connect. As one follower put it, 'I miss having a "computer room" 😢'.
Whether these creations are comfortable enough for an actual night out is another question. The post presents them as imaginative designs, rather than confirming that they are commercially available footwear.
Still, McLaughlin has given Y2K nostalgia a new place to live: a shoe closet. Next time you walk down memory lane, you know which shoes to put on. Just don't expect the heels to connect to Wi-Fi.
