She's here, she's there, she's every-freaking-where at the moment but who can blame her? With a brilliant new film, Atonement, now under her belt. (there's already Oscars talk) Keira Knightley is what you might call hawt property right now. So, it was no surprise to learn that the English beauty is next month's Vogue UK cover girl. Mirroring her role as Cecilia in Atonement, Knightley was photographed for the cover by Mario Testino in a sequin-encrusted couture gown by Chanel (who else?)

Her photo-shoot inside the issue, however, is probably less Cecilia and more Keira - a mixture of boy/girl sexiness with draping and layers. Check out those black and white super heels!

While many continue to be put off by that pout, or that stick thin frame, Knightley is adamant about keeping her privacy private including questions about her weight. Pretty solid stuff for someone whose career is skyrocketing her into becoming the hottest ticket in town.

In the article, Keira discusses the press attention on today's famous young women. "It has to be sordid. It has to be drink and it has to be drugs and it has to be sex with as many different people as possible, or anorexia or bulimia or something... With me, there just isn't anything like that: a couple of boyfriends, split up, perfectly normal. So lets give her an eating disorder."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Visit our website www.xintense.com for many more

Its one thing reading books etc & knowing all the answers, but when it comes down to taking care of our own it’s a whole new ballgame. I too have learnt so much about the other side of the fence over the last seven years and if you have a question I will be happy to answer you. Are you a worried parent? Been there-still there! Are you a worried aspiring model? It’s a bitter sweet industry and we can only view it through opaque glass. Unless your accepted or one of the chosen few, it’s almost impossible to get strait answers. Below are the basic FAQ’s but anything else I will be happy to answer & honestly.

COMMERCIAL This is the biggest modeling category and the one most often overlooked and misunderstood by young models. Commercial models appear in ads, packaging, billboards, and magazine articles for everything from A to Z PROMOTIONAL. Promo’s are how many models actually earn a living. It can range from being hired to hand out freebies in a supermarket or an event or to work on a stand at a show or event. AGE Am I too old? How tall do I need to be? Do I have to be really skinny? It depends what type of modelling you aim for. - There is NO age limit on modelling. Turn on the TV and watch some commercials - pick up a few magazines - there are models of every age range and body type in use today. There is something to suit every category of model. Although Glamour will be a short lived career with the average lifespan in the UK of a glamour model is approx 18 months. Some do have a longer lifespan, i.e. 18 to mid twenties. Height really is only an issue if you intend to be a Fashion model. In London, most fashion models range from 5'10" to 6' - that's it. The exceptions are the girls with the extremely unique looks so if you are shorter than 5'9" - don't waste your time taking lots of pretty fashion pictures for your portfolio - stick with commercial looks. Male fashion models are usually between 6' and 6'2" tall. For Glamour work there are no height restrictions & many glamour models are very short indeed. Fashion models still tend to be very skinny. Commercial modeling doesn't require that you be "skinny".

Do I really need a portfolio - and what kinds of pictures should be in it?
YES!! Every glamour model should have a ‘Book’. This will be asked for at every job you go for, any ‘Go See’ you attend, any casting etc, & the rule of thumb is no book no work. Don’t have too many pictures but the ones you do have should be from different photographers & different styles. It doesn’t matter if you only have half a dozen, but they should be your best photos. A portfolio doesn’t happen overnight & people understand this. Also models evolve & constantly change their look; therefore their book will need ever updating too. Remember to only use one picture from each set you have & try to use a different picture from different photographers, but this is often difficult initially.

Do I ever have to pay money up front for an agency to represent me?
NO!!! Agencies who ask you upfront to pay money for classes, photographs, comp cards, etc - are NOT agencies that you want to have representing you. Keep well away from this kind of agency. You are hiring them to find you work, and then you pay them a percentage.

Do I need to take classes to be a model?
NO!! Watch other models, copy poses in front of your mirror. Do this alone & naked. Naked? Yes. This will help you to understand how different poses affect different parts of your body, what pose causes tummy ripples & what post stretches them out. You know your body better than anyone so learn to use it for you.

How do I find a Modelling Agency? Do I need to sign with more than one agency?
There is no one agency that has every job out there. Certainly for larger jobs - many agencies will often be submitting people - however every agency has their own group of clients who will always call them first for jobs. Don't miss out on those opportunities. Never sign to ONE Agency join as many Agencies as you can. One other tip, never allow an Agency to arrange your portfolio pictures as some tend to have them printed with their logo. In due course we will add a list of respected Agencies.

Do I ever have to pay money up front for an agency to represent me? A legitimate agency makes its money by working for you & in the UK the main Agencies adopt this policy. That's right - when you sign your agency agreement - the fine print says that YOU are hiring them to get you work. You agree to pay them a percentage of what you earn. This is how a good Agency will operate. Agencies who ask you upfront to pay money for classes, photographs, comp cards, etc - are NOT agencies that you want to have representing you. Keep well away, why should you be out of pocket & they may never find you a job, despite what candy coating they have on their package. You must understand this & be strong as a good salesman will convince you to part with your hard earned or borrowed cash. KEEP WELL AWAY. You want to be with agencies who are interested by making money by getting you work - not by taking it from your pocket.

SO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES??
Ask yourself some basic questions and be totally honest with yourself. Do you really feel you’re good enough to be a model? Stand alone naked and look in the mirror for a few minutes & ask yourself that question again.

STILL YES?
You probably look upto someone, someone you admire, can you be just like her? She has made it. You're just starting out. You are about to represent you, so start NOW!

HOW? Eating healthily, drinking plenty of water, stop smoking "But it keeps my weight down" then go to the bloody gym! As I said, start now. Toning your body. It's one thing looking slim but are you really toned? You may dress like an A-list celeb, but remember people will see you almost naked, people that have been in the industry a long time & know what they want from a model. There are thousands & thousands of girls & guys just like you, all wanting to be the next household name, yes competition is that fierce. Pay attention to your Hair, Skin, Nails, Teeth etc, it does matter. Can you compose yourself? look like you have pride in yourself? eloquent in speech & posture? Remember the Agent or at any casting you attend will make their mind up about you pretty much within the first ten seconds. This is where you sell yourself, you gain your extra points, you use everything you possibly can to win this person/persons over & get the job. There are prettier girls there? So what! Not every casting is about who is the most stunning to look at. The attractive 'Girl next door' look often wins over the stunning blonde sat next to you. Don't let this put you off.

Tattoo's, Piercing’s etc are still a huge turn off as far as Agents are concerned, so think wisely about your body. OK Piercing’s can be removed & Tattoo's airbrushed, but that’s assuming they take you on in the first place. Don't waste your money on your 'book' initially. If an Agency has asked to send in some pics, simple snapshots are best & never over do the make up. The 'Book' can come later, once you start earning. Your Agent will advise you on this. Has your Agent asked for money up-front? Or asked for money for Pictures up-front? Forget it, never ever part with money to an Agent. If they charge you they are not the agency for you, and so many 'Agent's' rip wannabie models off from the start.

GLAMOUR MODELING
18- to mid twenties, height doesn't matter as you can't judge a persons height from a photo. You must be in proportion, curvy as opposed to skinny & reasonably attractive. For topless modeling, could you stand topless in front of some half a dozen people all looking at you? Are your breasts firm & pert? Likewise is your bum in proportion?

FASHION MODELING
Girls can start here as young as 13, but a totally different criteria needs to be met. Again shelf life is upto mid twenties. The absolute minimum height is 5'7" for females for editorial work but ideally 5'9/10" for the catwalk/runway. You only have to watch a fashion show to look at the models, waif-like size 6-10 but the more waif-like girls tend to get the work. We at Xintense steer clear from the fashion model as we do not condone the stick thin appearance & the lengths some girls go to maintain that look.

For men 18-23/24 is the average requirement, around 6'-6'4" is the average male fashion model although some slightly shorter still apply. Athletic without the body builder physique, narrow hips & a strong face, bone structure. www.xintense.com

Peterborough City Centre Regeneration

During the 1970s and 80s the heart of the ancient cathedral city of Peterborough successfully absorbed major new developments such as the award-winning Queensgate shopping centre which offers more than 100 stores under one roof.

Now English Partnerships – along with the City Council and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) – have put together a draft framework plan to guide a major development in the city centre over the next 15-20 years. The aim is to better exploit distinctive features such as its river frontage and to realise the potential for a substantial increase in shopping, leisure, urban employment and new homes.

A number of key sites in the city have been identified for regeneration including the north Westgate and Queensgate area which will be redeveloped to create a primary retail focus with high quality pedestrian routes. Mixed use schemes have been proposed at South Bank and new cultural, and leisure and sports facilities together with residential schemes are planned at sites on the north river frontage.

Visitors to the shopping centre were asked to comment on this major initiative through a three-day exhibition that took place in early February 2003. Their views were incorporated into a new development framework plan that aims to bring forward the following over the next 20 years:

• More than 80,000 sq m of new and refurbished retail developments
  

• 2,500 new homes
  

• 110,000 sq m of new offices and workspaces
  

• Major new cultural, leisure and sporting attractions
  

• The creation of up to 7,000 new jobs
  

• New and enhanced community facilities
  

• A new primary school
  

• Higher education facilities with the possible opportunity of acquiring university status in the future
  

• New and improved transport links, a transport hub and enhanced public transport services

Peterborough City Council invited the public to review the draft framework plan at a number of consultation meetings and exhibitions held from November 2003 to February 2004. The final framework was presented to Peterborough City Council in April 2004.

A planning application for the North Westgate and Queensgate sites is due in 2006 and work is anticipated to begin on site in 2008.