The Art of Reinvention: Kanwal Toor on Presence, Power, and Purpose

From the Vogue archives to Parliament, Kanwal Toor has built a career that defies singular definition. The former Miss India made her Bollywood debut opposite Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu in the critically acclaimed Cheeni Kum before pivoting into entrepreneurship across two continents. Today, she splits her time between London and Dubai, running multiple global businesses including luxury jewellery brand JADAU.CO.UK and her etiquette school, British Etiquette, where she coaches clients on the kind of presence and polish that opens doors at the highest levels. A former Parliamentary candidate who stood for Slough in the 2019 general elections, published author, and philanthropist, Toor represents a new breed of multi-hyphenate entrepreneur who understands that reinvention isn't about abandoning the past—it's about building on it. Her forthcoming book, Still Waters Run Deep, tackles unregulated mental health practices with unflinching honesty. We sat down with her to discuss building empires across continents, the politics of presence, and why traditional etiquette matters in a digital world.

Kanwal, you've moved from modelling for Mercedes-Benz and Pepsi to acting alongside Amitabh Bachchan to running etiquette schools and jewellery brands. What connects these seemingly different worlds?

I've never viewed these as separate careers. To me, they've been different expressions of the same passion: refining our personal style, through confidence, elegance, and creativity. From the runway to the screen, from entrepreneurship to etiquette, every experience has reinforced the belief that how we present ourselves can open doors, build relationships, open spectacular avenues, and create meaningful impact

You're based between London and Dubai running multiple global businesses. How do you scale entrepreneurship across two very different markets?

London and Dubai may be very different markets, but they share one important characteristic that they are both global crossroads. I focus on building strong local relationships, listening carefully to what each market needs, and creating businesses that are adaptable rather than rigid. London brings a heritage of established luxury, professionalism and tradition, while Dubai offers remarkable energy, ambition and openness to innovation. The opportunity lies in bridging those strengths. If you can build trust, deliver excellence, the world is your oyster!

Standing as a Parliamentary candidate in 2019 was a bold move. What did that political experience teach you about influence, and has it shaped how you approach business?

Standing as a Parliamentary candidate in 2019 was a valuable leadership experience. It taught me that true influence is about earning trust. When you're speaking to people from all walks of life, you quickly learn that listening is often more powerful than speaking.The experience reinforced the importance of resilience, empathy and clear communication. In politics, as in business, people invest in people/brands who understand their concerns. It has certainly shaped how I approach business. I spend more time listening to clients, partners and teams, and I place greater emphasis on building long-term relationships rather than pursuing short-term wins.

British Etiquette teaches traditional polish in an era obsessed with authenticity and "keeping it real." How do you sell etiquette training to a generation that might see it as outdated?

But who says ‘traditional polish’ is not authentic? I think there’s a common misconception that etiquette and authenticity are opposites. In reality, good etiquette isn't about pretending to be someone you're not - it's about ensuring your best qualities stand out. Today's generation values authenticity, and rightly so. What we teach isn't outdated formality or rigid rules. We teach basic manners, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and the ability to make others feel comfortable and respected. Those skills are timeless and arguably more important than ever in a highly connected world. Whether you're pitching a business, attending a networking event, interviewing for a role, or building a personal brand online, people still form impressions. Etiquette simply helps ensure those impressions are impeccable

Still Waters Run Deep addresses unregulated mental health practices. What made you take on this particular fight, and what are you hoping to expose?

Still Waters Run Deep was born from a simple but important concern that when people are vulnerable and seeking help, they deserve transparency, accountability and protection. Mental health is one of the most sensitive areas of our society, yet there are parts of the industry that remain largely unregulated, leaving individuals exposed to practices that may not always be evidence-based or ethically delivered. What compelled me to explore this issue was not a desire to criticise those who genuinely help people, but a desire to ask difficult questions where oversight may be lacking. Whenever an industry deals with people's wellbeing, there should be a balance between innovation, support and responsibility. My hope is not to sensationalise, but to encourage informed conversations. If the project exposes anything, I hope it exposes the gaps that allow vulnerable individuals to be misled, the need for greater transparency, and the importance of empowering people to make informed choices about the support they receive.