The Only Way is Essex star Amy Childs cut the ribbon to launch Redbridge College’s new commercial venture Urban Oasis at the Exchange Ilford shopping centre.
Amy launched the hair and beauty salon on Wednesday, where students from the college will work as juniors and graduating students will be given their first jobs.
British Hairdresser of the Year Jamie Stevens also opened the Ilford Skills Academy training salons next door.
Redbridge Mayor Cllr Felicity Banks, joined Amy at the ribbon-cutting reception.
Amy offers a tanning training course at her own salon which it is hoped will be offered at Redbridge College soon.
She said: “I think it’s absolutely amazing here – in fact, I’d love to do my training all over again at the Ilford Skills Academy.
“One of the best things about my work with Towie was that it put me on a platform that allowed more people to come across my beauty and spray-tanning work.
“That’s what I’m known as now – the spraytan queen – and I can’t wait to demonstrate my tanning course to the students here later.”
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