Kate Upton To Receive ‘Model Of The Year’ Title At The Style Awards; Ceremony Kicks Off New York Fashion Week

It's that time of the year again! The streets of New York will be (more) crowded with very interesting characters, over the top accessories, colorful ensembles, unconventional designs, shoes to envy and the most exotic fragrances. Yes, it's Fashion Week. But before all the craziness unleashes, there's a special event that will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4, that will mark the beginning of the most anticipated event in fashion: the Style Awards, where the title of "Model of the Year" will be awarded no none other than Kate Upton.

Although it's no surprise the svelte supermodel is the recipient of this award, since she's been making headlines for her Sports Illustrated Covers, her campaign with jeweler David Yurman which helped her join the ranks of Gisele and Kate Moss, her Vogue cover, acting skills in "The Other Woman" alongside Cameron Diaz, and even a prom invitation on YouTube, Upton had some tough competition for the award, with fellow models Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss, Coco Rocha and Jourdan Dunn also reportedly in the running.

Kate follows in the successful footsteps of Joan Smalls, who nabbed the coveted Model Of The Year award last year, but it was Upton's pinup good looks and outspoken nature that ultimately secured her the coveted title. "People deal with models like they are children," Upton told ELLE US this month. "They think they can pull one over on you. It's actually funny. I'm always like, I'm about to pull something on you, and you're so focused on thinking I'm dumb you're not even going to know." She also confessed she "felt terrible" about herself after her first Sports Illustrated. "I'm not a toy, I'm a human," she said. "I'm not here to be used."

This year, for the first time ever, the Style Awards will be televised, signifying its growing importance in the fashion industry. "As the world's eyes turn to New York City to kick off the Spring 2014 Collections, IMG Fashion is honored to host the 10th anniversary of the Style Awards at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week," said Jarrad Clark, Global Creative Director, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. "Style and design is a universal language and we can't think of a better way to start the Event than with the red carpet glamour of the Style Awards."

The awards will be hosted by Nicole Richie and although scheduled for the day before Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, it will be aired 10 days later on CNN on September 14.