EXHIBIT 23

      INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
      -----------------------------

      We  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  AnnTaylor
Stores  Corporation's  Registration  Statements  No.  33-31505 on Form
S-8, No. 33-50688 on Form S-8, No. 33-54387 on Form S-8, No.
33-52389 on Form S-8,  No.  33-55629  on Form S-8,  No.  333-32977  on
Form S-8,  No.  333-37145  on Form S-8 and No.  333-79921 on Form S-8,
and No.  333-86955  on Form S-3 of our  report  dated  March  6,  2000
(which  expresses an  unqualified  opinion and includes an explanatory
paragraph  concerning  the  change in method of  inventory  valuation)
appearing  in the  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K of  AnnTaylor  Stores
Corporation for the year ended January 29, 2000.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
April 18, 2000