How I Manifested My Dream Vintage Bag in Japan

Although I don’t often speak on my material manifestations, my experience with this in particular had so many little lessons along the way that I thought sharing the story with you would inspire you to also manifest something from your own vision board.

Also, we often talk about manifesting more money, more love, more success, more health. It’s also nice to manifest the other things that make us feel good but aren’t as serious.

Sometime last year, I went on a quest to find my dream vintage bag.

I wanted something timeless, from a designer who had been consistent with their craftsmanship, a bag that, when I carried it, I felt like I was already the best version of myself.

Not just any bag. A vintage 90s Ferragamo, a 90s patent black piece with gold hardware, which I had on my vision board for about a year.

I imagined what outfit I would wear with this bag, and how it would feel.

I replayed scenes in my mind of me opening and closing the clasp as I reached for car keys, money, lip gloss…

With Japan being a hotspot for thrifting and the best vintage finds, it seemed like the perfect place to find my dream bag.

And despite it not being one of the more popular luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, and Hermes, I was determined I was going to own a vintage Ferragamo bag.

But as you can imagine, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

During my visit, my sister and I decided to take a quick trip to Osaka, the best city for vintage shopping (much better than Tokyo). And go in search of my dream bag…

After searching around four to five different vintage stores, it wasn’t looking good.

Not only did they not stock my dream bag, but they also didn’t stock Ferragamo at all!!

We were so close to giving up that we decided to visit at least ONE more store on our list before we completely threw in the towel.

On our way to the last store, my sister decided she wanted to stop at a Boba shop. Opposite the shop, I spotted a gorgeous vintage store called Ameri.

By then, I had let go of the idea of finding my dream bag. It obviously wasn't meant to be found on this trip, but I still wanted to look inside because I could see they sold other gorgeous accessories and vintage pieces. Besides, I wasn't going to get my bag. I might as well satisfy my retail therapy with something else.

As I browsed through the racks, I could see something beautiful in the distance, perched on the shelf, waiting for someone to notice her - no way!

A vintage Ferragamo bag!

The one I thought I wanted

Until I found perfection

And took her home

A small, snowy-white shoulder bag with gold hardware and in perfect condition. In fact, it looked better than the one on my vision board.

I went back and forth in my mind over whether I should just end the search here, put my sister and me out of our misery (although she looked quite content with her bubble tea) and make the purchase, especially since it was the only vintage Ferragamo I had spotted so far. 

I left the store to discuss with my sister what I should do, and we decided it was probably best I buy this bag.

Before I could turn back, it dawned on me...

Did I really like the bag, or did I just like it because it was the first Ferragamo to stumble across my path?

I mean, I liked the bag, but did I LOVE it?

Is it everything I ever wanted and more?

No. 

I realised this is the part in the manifestation process where I was being tested.

How much did I really want the bag I had visualised for a year?

Because here I am being offered a substitute, one that checks almost every box, and I'm ready to settle just in case I'm never offered what I really want. "We’re being tested!" I squealed to my sister, who seemed a little confused.

Or maybe she was just more focused on the tea?

But after I explained, she understood: we must be close to finding my dream bag; it must be in the area, and the only thing to do is keep making our way to the shop we had intended to find.

It wasn't too far a walk before we finally made it to Hedy, the store on the list.

I waited next in line to enter the store, but from the outside I could already see what I had been visualising up until this point.

The exact bag from my vision board! A shiny, sleek black patent bag with a gold chain and gold-hardware shoulder strap! The search was over.

But there was a plot twist.

Right next to it was another Ferragamo, a classic, grey leather, timeless crossbody with gold hardware and even more my style. Like, much more.

I was torn.

It was my turn to enter the Cave of Wonders (aka the Hedy store) and come up close and personal with a brand-new decision. Should I stick with the bag I had visualised all this time, or should I go with this discovery?

I realised the universe wasn’t just fulfilling my vision, but also presenting me with something even better. It was almost as though I was being rewarded for not caving in earlier on the white bag at Ameri.

It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, you ask for something- a relationship or a job- and you don’t get it because something better is meant for you.

The ‘plot twist’ bag was hard to resist. It exceeded my expectations on every level (it was even in better condition than the ‘vision board’ bag), and it started to feel more like a gift from the universe.

After switching between the two, trying them on, going upstairs to see what else they had, leaving the store, then coming back. A decision had been made.

The only thing which made sense was the ‘plot twist’ bag. It was also the most beautiful vintage Ferragamo I had seen.

It was a testament to my journey of practising manifestation and a symbol of my growth.

I manifested something even better than I had imagined, proving that if you can see it in your mind, you can hold something better in your hand.

Final Thoughts

I hope this story helped you resonate with some of the lessons I had to discover on my way to manifesting a bag.

Maybe for you it’s not a vintage bag on your vision board. Maybe it’s your dream car, your dream home or your dream partner.

Whatever it is you want to manifest into your life, whether it’s material or even something greater, the process remains the same; all you have to do is know how to use it to your advantage.