Exhibit 23
                                                              ----------

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
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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, No. 333-79921 on Form S-8, No.
333-38174 on Form S-8, No. 333-53502 on Form S-8, No. 333-90954 on Form S-8, No.
333-97005 on Form S-8 and No. 333-86955 on Form S-3 of our report dated February
28, 2003 (which  expresses an  unqualified  opinion and includes an  explanatory
paragraph related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.  142)  appearing  in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of  AnnTaylor  Stores
Corporation for the year ended February 1, 2003.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 31, 2003