Leggy Kate Upton flaunts her famous curves in a plunging blazer dress as she celebrates her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover in NYC 

By Jessica Rach For Mailonline

Published: 05:23 EST, 17 February 2017 | Updated: 06:22 EST, 17 February 2017

It was the magazine that launched her career after she was named Rookie of the Year following her first appearance in 2011.

And Kate Upton was dressed for business as she attended the  Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition release party in New York on Thursday night.

Flaunting her famous cleavage, the 24-year-old model opted for a plunging black blazer dress. 

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Turning heads! Kate Upton was dressed for business as she attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition release party in New York on Thursday night.

Turning heads! Kate Upton was dressed for business as she attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition release party in New York on Thursday night.

Making the most of her long lean legs, the thigh-skimming piece reached the top of her legs, and was embroidered with a colourful border.

With a plunging neckline, it made the most of her golden cleavage, and toned curves. 

Adding height to her stature she teamed it with delicate black sandals.

And wearing her hair in loose tousled waves, she accentuated her pretty blue eyes with defined brows and  dark eyeliner. 

Curves ahead: Flaunting her famous cleavage, the 24-year-old model opted for a plunging black blazer dress
Leggy: Making the most of her long lean legs, the thigh-skimming piece reached the top of her legs, and was embroidered with a colourful border

 Curves ahead: Flaunting her famous cleavage, the 24-year-old model opted for a plunging black blazer dress

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Kate Upton looks sensational on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 Issue, but it's the dresses she's been wearing whilst doing the rounds to promote the magazine that we're more interested in.

Cushnie et Ochs and Gucci are some of the names in the mix, so of course she had a good little black dress lined up for the red carpet release party! She joined Ashley Graham and Nina Agdal at the event, wearing a dress from the Versace AW16 collection.

We're quite simply head over heels in love with the distinctive multicolored wave detail along the hem. It's an effective way to transform an otherwise simple style, and when teamed with a blazer and strappy heels, the model looked flawless.

Unfortunately her exact dress has now sold out, but click (right) to buy a skirt with the same hemline. Or go for Versace vibes with the help of our edit below.

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Posing for cameras on the red carpet, the blonde beauty celebrated landing the third cover. 

Kate was recently revealed as the face of the 2017 Sports Illustrated cover.

The editor told Sports Illustrated: 'We didn't start off with the idea of three covers, regardless of who was on the cover but when Kate was actually shooting, we were trying so many different looks on her and each photo was coming back just as great as the next.

'It's a full circle moment for us. We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry. Kate Upton was really this trailblazer that led the way for the Ashley Grahams of the world and everything you're seeing happen that's different in fashion right now.'

 Proud! She celebrated having landed three covers in 2012, 2013, and 2017

 Proud! She celebrated having landed three covers in 2012, 2013, and 2017

Natural beauty: Wearing her hair in loose tousled waves, she accentuated her pretty blue eyes with defined brows and dark eyeliner

Natural beauty: Wearing her hair in loose tousled waves, she accentuated her pretty blue eyes with defined brows and dark eyeliner

Speaking to the magazine, Kate said it was a pleasure to be asked back: 'I was very excited when MJ asked me to be back in the issue,' Kate said about her return. 'Especially when this year's theme is about every woman of every age and every body type being accepted. It was inspiring to be asked to be a part of that issue.'

Many Kate fans had feared that they would not get to see the curvy stunner back on the cover after a report that she had fallen out with the magazine.

Page Six reported that she had been very demanding in her dealings with Sports Illustrated.

'There was drama,' explained a source. 'Kate demanded that if she did the shoot, that she absolutely must get the cover.'

Statuesque: Adding height to her stature she teamed it with delicate black sandals

Statuesque: Adding height to her stature she teamed it with delicate black sandals

'We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry', the mag said

'We started Kate in her career, and you know, we watched her grow and become not only this worldwide, superstar phenomenon; she changed the direction of the modeling industry', the mag said

In addition to her cover-or-nothing attitude, the five-foot ten-inch talent reportedly also had a strict 'list of photographers and hair and makeup people she would only work with.'

Another modeling industry vet also claimed that Kate's 'demands became ridiculous.'

However having landed three covers in 2012, 2013, and 2017 with the magazine that kick-started her career in 2011, all appears to be well between the model and the magazine.

Meanwhile the kind-hearted model recently opened up about adopting her pooch from a dog shelter.

'I was very excited when MJ asked me to be back in the issue,' Kate said about her return

'I was very excited when MJ asked me to be back in the issue,' Kate said about her return

'Especially when this year's theme is about every woman of every age and every body type being accepted. It was inspiring to be asked to be a part of that issue', Kate said

'Especially when this year's theme is about every woman of every age and every body type being accepted. It was inspiring to be asked to be a part of that issue', Kate said

Speaking to Florida Today previously, the longtime animal lover encouraged others to save animals from shelters rather than shop for pets from stores. 

'I have three dogs, and I have a couple horses. I was raised on five acres, and I showed horses my whole life,' she shared.

'And I love dogs. And I think it's really important for people to adopt their new pet, instead of going shopping. Because millions of dogs die in a shelter every year.' 

Having landed three covers in 2012, 2013, and 2017 with the magazine that kick-started her career in 2011, all appears to be well between the model and the magazine

Having landed three covers in 2012, 2013, and 2017 with the magazine that kick-started her career in 2011, all appears to be well between the model and the magazine

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