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  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, Inc. for the
year ended February 1, 2003.




/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

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