Charlotte Ronson's runway shows are reliably something of a spectacle, and yesterday's 2 p.m. show was no different.

   Nicky Hilton

A paparazzi pack four people thick crowded around the front row, cameras flashing like strobe lights. Photographers caught Tinsley Mortimer in an "I Heart Ronson" dress from Ronson's JC Penney line, along with Russell Simmons and pop singer Keri Hilson. Nicky Hilton, whose straight brunette hair seemed to be the only mane to elude the downpour outside, took the lion's share of the flashbulbs.

As guests trailed in to their seats, it became clear this would be a standing-room only show. While this demonstrates Ronson's star power, it also makes seats fast-moving commodities. Several front row guests began looking for open seats and, finding them filled, approached the harried publicists, who could do little to help. Stylist Robert Verdi, America's Top Model runway coach Miss J and Elle magazine's Kate Lanphear all arrived to find their seats taken. All left. A pack of publicists pounced on Lanphear, trying to oust someone from a seat, but Lamphear resisted -- she refused to evict anyone from his or her front row seat. (For the record, Heard on the Runway spied a young woman find her second-row seat, and after a minute or two, casually stake her claim to a front row spot just seats from IMG vice president Fern Mallis.)

The show featured music by sibling Samantha Ronson (a.k.a. Lindsay Lohan's ex) and also the runway debut of younger Ronson sister Annabelle.

This was Ronson's strongest collection yet, with smart touches of volume and sheer, feminine fabrics that combined to present an image of a take-no-prisoners pretty girl. Standouts included a leather jacket with puff shoulders, slim sleeves and a ribbed bodice; blazers and dresses with obi-style belts and a sleeveless vest with embellished shoulders that had just the right touch of "Oh this? I just threw this on."