Exhibit 99.1
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                           CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
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                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
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In connection with the Annual Report of AnnTaylor Stores Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, J. Patrick
Spainhour, 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:     March 14, 2003                  /s/J. Patrick Spainhour
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                                             J. Patrick Spainhour
                                             Chief Executive Officer



This  certification  accompanies  the Report  pursuant  to  Section  906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002 and shall  not,  except to the extent  required  by
the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,  be deemed  filed by the Company for purposes
of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.