EXHIBIT 99.1
                    CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
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          SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
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In connection with the Quarterly Report of AnnTaylor Stores
Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended
August 3, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Report"), I, J. Patrick Spainhour, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my
knowledge:

(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
      13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents,
      in all material respects, the financial condition and
      results of operations of the Company.



Date: September 17, 2002         /s/J. Patrick Spainhour
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                                    J. Patrick Spainhour
                                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer