Exhibit 23

      INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

      We consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  AnnTaylor,
Inc.'s  Registration  Statement  No.  333-86955  on  Form  S-3  of our
report  dated March 1, 2002  appearing  in this Annual  Report on Form
10-K of AnnTaylor, Inc. for the year ended February 2, 2002.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


New York, New York
April 2, 2002