How many times have you spent weeks searching for just the right sneaker, only to realize with horror that your perfect shoe is on the feet of at least seven other people at the [insert indie rock band of choice] show? It’s worse than that episode of “Beverly Hills 90210” when Brenda and Kelly showed up to the spring dance wearing the same dress.

Banish your conformity complex by designing your own shoe. During Puma’s (1237 Wisconsin Ave. NW) Mongolian Shoe BBQ event, which ends Jan. 15, sneaker-philes can design their dream shoe. Here’s how it works: you pick up a tray and a pattern guide at the store, then peruse a variety of precut materials, which range from purple suede to camouflage. Once you’ve chosen materials of the shoe from the toe cap to the heel cap, pass your masterpiece to a sales associate (and, you know, pay). Your shoes will be ready for pick up in about four to six weeks.

The BBQ is only being held at two other Puma concept stores in New York and Boston – is that exclusive enough for ‘ya? The custom kicks cost $130, which is about twice the average price of a pair of Pumas. Turns out that originality ain’t cheap.

(photo from singleshot.net)