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Employment Agreement - AnnTaylor Stores Corp. and J. Patrick Spainhour

                       EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                       --------------------

      EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),  dated as of January
29,  2002,  between  ANNTAYLOR  STORES   CORPORATION,   a  Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),   and  J.  PATRICK   SPAINHOUR  (the
"Executive").

      WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to provide  for the  continued
services and  employment of the Executive  with the Company and the
Executive  wishes to provide  such  services  and to  continue  his
employment  with the Company,  all in accordance with the terms and
conditions provided herein.

      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises and the
respective   covenants  and   agreements  of  the  parties   herein
contained,  and intending to be legally  bound hereby,  the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.    EMPLOYMENT.   The  Company   hereby   agrees  to  employ  the
      -----------
Executive,  and the  Executive  hereby agrees to be employed by and
to serve  the  Company,  effective  as of  January  29,  2002  (the
"Effective Date"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.


2.    TERM.  The  term  of this  Agreement  shall  commence  on the
      -----
Effective  Date  hereof  and  terminate  on May  31,  2005,  unless
further   extended  or  sooner   terminated  as  provided  in  this
Agreement.  Commencing on June 1, 2005, and on each  anniversary of
such date thereafter (each date, an "Anniversary  Date"),  the term
of the Executive's  employment shall  automatically be extended for
one  additional  year,  unless not later  than six months  prior to
such  Anniversary  Date  either  party  shall have given  notice (a
"Nonrenewal  Notice")  to the other  party that it does not wish to
extend  this  Agreement.  References  hereinafter  to the "Term" of
this  Agreement  shall  refer  to both  the  initial  term  and any
extended   term  of  the   Agreement   hereunder.   Notwithstanding
expiration  of the Term or other  provisions  that survive by their
intent,  the  provisions of Paragraphs  3(b), 9 and 10 hereof shall
continue in effect.

3.    NATURE OF PERFORMANCE.
      ----------------------

(a)   POSITION AND DUTIES.  The  Executive  shall serve as Chairman
      --------------------  
of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company and shall
have such  responsibilities,  duties and authority  consistent with
such  positions  as may  from  time to time  be  determined  by the
Board of  Directors  of the Company (the  "Board").  The  Executive
shall  report  directly to the Board.  The  Executive  shall devote
substantially  all of his working  time to the business and affairs
of  the  Company;  provided  that,  this  Agreement  shall  not  be
interpreted   to  prohibit  the  Executive   from  making   passive
investments,  engaging  in  charitable  activities  or,  subject to
prior   approval  of  the  Board  (which   approval  shall  not  be
unreasonably  withheld),  serving on the board of  directors of any
other corporation.

(b)   INDEMNIFICATION.  To the fullest extent  permitted by law and
      ---------------
the  Company's   certificate  of  incorporation  and  bylaws,   the
Company shall  indemnify the Executive for all amounts  (including,
without  limitation,   judgments,   fines,   settlement   payments,
losses,   damages,   costs  and  expenses   (including   reasonable
attorneys'  fees))  incurred or paid by the Executive in connection
with any action,  proceeding,  suit or investigation arising out of
or relating to the  performance  by the  Executive of services for,
or acting as a fiduciary of any employee  benefit  plans,  programs
or  arrangements  of  the  Company  or as a  director,  officer  or
employee of, the Company or any subsidiary  thereof.  Following the
Term,  the Company shall  continue to indemnify the Executive  with
respect to such  services  performed  during the Term,  to the same

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extent  as  the  Company   indemnifies  its  officers,   directors,
employees  and  fiduciaries,  as  applicable.  Executive  shall  be
provided director and officer liability  insurance  coverage by the
Company on the same  terms and  conditions  as that being  provided
to any other  director  and  officer  of the  Company  from time to
time during the Term hereof.

4.    PLACE OF  PERFORMANCE.  In  connection  with the  Executive's
      ---------------------
employment  by the  Company,  the  Executive  shall be based at the
principal  executive  offices  of the  Company  in the  City of New
York or at such other  principal  executive  office in the New York
City  Metropolitan  Area as the  Company  may  hereafter  maintain,
except for required travel on the Company's  business.  The Company
is aware that Executive  maintains his principal  residence and his
family  resides in  Columbus,  Mississippi.  The  Company  has been
advised by Executive  that he intends to continue to maintain  such
residence  which will require  Executive to commute at  Executive's
sole cost and expense  between the Company's  headquarters  and his
residence in  Mississippi  on a regular  basis to which the Company
has no objection.

5.    COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS.
      --------------------------------

(a)   ANNUAL COMPENSATION.
      -------------------

(i)   BASE SALARY. During the period of the Executive's  employment
      -----------
hereunder,  the Company  shall pay to the  Executive an annual base
salary at a rate not less  than  $850,000,  such  salary to be paid
in  conformity  with the  Company's  policies  relating to salaried
employees.  This  salary  may  be  (but  is  not  required  to  be)
increased  from time to time,  subject  to and in  accordance  with
the annual executive  performance  review procedures of the Company
and, if so  increased,  shall not  thereafter  be decreased  during
the  Term of  this  Agreement.  Compensation  of the  Executive  by
salary  payments  shall  not be  deemed  exclusive  and  shall  not
prevent   the   Executive   from   participating   in   any   other
compensation  or benefit plan of the Company.  The salary  payments
(including any increased  salary  payments)  hereunder shall not in
any way  limit  or  reduce  any  other  obligation  of the  Company
hereunder,   and  no  other   compensation,   benefit   or  payment
hereunder  shall in any way limit or reduce the  obligation  of the
Company to pay the Executive's salary hereunder.


(ii)  ANNUAL  BONUS.  During the period of  Executive's  employment
      -------------
hereunder,  the Executive  shall be eligible to  participate in the
Company's  annual  bonus plan as in effect  from time to time,  and
shall be  entitled  to receive  such  amounts (a "Bonus") as may be
authorized,  declared  and  paid  by the  Company  pursuant  to the
terms of such plan;  provided  that,  notwithstanding  any contrary
provisions of such bonus plan,  unless the  Executive's  employment
is  terminated  by the Company  for Cause (as defined in  Paragraph
6(c) hereof) or by the  Executive  other than for Good  Reason,  as
defined  in  Paragraph  6(d)(1)  hereof),  the  Executive  shall be
entitled  to  receive  any  Bonus  paid with  respect  to any bonus
period  completed  on or prior to the Date of  Termination  or,  in
the case a Nonrenewal  Notice is given by the Company,  through the
scheduled  expiration  date  of the  Term  (even  if the  Executive
terminates his employment  prior to such scheduled  expiration date
for Good Reason under  Paragraph  6(d)(1)(v)  hereof).  The Company
currently  maintains a  Management  Performance  Compensation  Plan
(the  "Performance  Plan")  pursuant  to which it pays  performance
bonus  compensation to certain of its executives and employees.  It
is agreed  that  Executive  shall  participate  in the  Performance
Plan.  Executive's  Performance Percentage (as that term is defined
in the  Performance  Plan)  shall be  established  at 80% per annum
during  the Term.  Executive  shall  also  participate  in the Long
Term Cash Incentive  Compensation Plan currently  maintained by the
Company  and his Target  Award (as  defined in such plan)  shall be
50%.
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(b)   STOCK OPTIONS.
      --------------

(1)   The  Executive  will be granted a  time-vested  Non-Qualified
      Stock Option to acquire one hundred fifty thousand  (150,000)
      shares of the  Company's  Common Stock (the "Option  Shares")
      under the Company's  2002 Stock Option and  Restricted  Stock
      and Unit  Award Plan (the  "Option  Plan")  with an  exercise
      price  equal to the fair market  value (as defined  under the
      Option Plan) of the Common Stock on the Effective  Date.  The
      option  shall vest and  become  exercisable  with  respect to
      one-third  of the  Option  Shares on each of the first  three
      anniversaries of the Effective Date,  provided  Executive has
      remained  continuously  employed  by the  Company  until  the
      applicable  date  (except as  provided in  Paragraph  7(d)(5)
      hereof).   The   Executive   shall  be  eligible  to  receive
      additional  options  under  the  Option  Plan  or  other  and
      additional  option  plans as may be  adopted  by the  Company
      during the term  hereof,  taking  into  account,  among other
      things,   Executive's   performance  and  position  with  the
      Company.


(2)   The   Executive   will  be  granted  a   performance   vested
      Non-Qualified  Stock  Option to  acquire  one  hundred  fifty
      thousand  (150,000)  shares  of the  Company's  Common  Stock
      ("Performance  Option  Shares") under the Option Plan with an
      exercise  price  equal to the fair  market  value (as defined
      under the Option Plan) of the  Company's  Common Stock on the
      Effective   Date.   Such   option   shall   vest  and  become
      exercisable,  provided  Executive  has remained  continuously
      employed by the Company until the applicable  date (except as
      provided in Paragraph 6(d)(5) hereof), as follows:


                (i)  options to purchase 50,000  Performance Option
                     Shares  shall vest and become  exercisable  as
                     of March 15, 2003,  if the Company  shall have
                     achieved  earnings  per share for fiscal  year
                     2002  of at  least  the  target  earnings  per
                     share set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto;


                (ii) options to purchase 50,000  Performance Option
                     Shares  shall vest and become  exercisable  as
                     of March 15, 2004,  if the Company  shall have
                     achieved  earnings  per share for fiscal  year
                     2003  of at  least  the  target  earnings  per
                     share set forth in Exhibit A attached  hereto;
                     and


                (iii)options to purchase 50,000  Performance Option
                     Shares  shall vest and become  exercisable  as
                     of March 15, 2005,  if the Company  shall have
                     achieved  earnings  per share for fiscal  year
                     2004  of at  least  the  target  earnings  per
                     share set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto;


           (3)  In addition,

                A.   if the Company's  earnings per share for fiscal
                     year 2002 greater than the target earnings per
                     share set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto for
                     such  fiscal  year,  then in  addition  to the
                     50,000 options to purchase  Performance Option
                     Shares that vest and become  exercisable as of
                     March 15,  2003,  a portion of the  options to
                     purchase  Performance  Option Shares  eligible
                     to vest on  March  15,  2004  shall  vest  and
                     become   exercisable  as  of  March  15,  2003
                     calculated  as follows:  50,000  multiplied by
                     the   "Increase    Percentage"   (as   defined
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                     herein);  As used herein,  the term  "Increase
                     Percentage"  means the difference  between the
                     actual  earnings  per share for a fiscal  year
                     and the  target  earnings  per share set forth
                     in Exhibit A attached  hereto for such  fiscal
                     year divided by the target  earnings per share
                     for such  fiscal  year set forth in  Exhibit A
                     attached hereto.

               B.    if the Company's earnings per share for fiscal year 
                     2003 are greater than the target  earnings per 
                     share for such  fiscal  year set forth in  Exhibit
                     A attached  hereto,  then  in  addition  to  the
                     50,000 options to purchase  Performance Option
                     Shares that vest and become  exercisable as of
                     March 15,  2004,  a portion of the  options to
                     purchase  Performance  Option Shares  eligible
                     to vest on  March  15,  2005  shall  vest  and
                     become   exercisable  as  of  March  15,  2004
                     calculated  as follows:  50,000  multiplied by
                     the Increase Percentage.


               C.    if the Company's earnings per share for fiscal
                     years 2002, 2003 and/or 2004 are less than 100%
                     but at least 90% of the target earnings per share
                     for such  fiscal  year set forth in  Exhibit A
                     attached  hereto,   then  the  number  of  the
                     options to purchase  Performance Option Shares
                     that vest and become  exercisable for any such
                     fiscal  year shall be  calculated  as follows:
                     50,000    multiplied    by    the    "Decrease
                     Percentage"  (as  defined  herein).   As  used
                     herein,  the term "Decrease  Percentage" means
                     the  quotient  obtained by dividing the actual
                     earnings  per share  for a fiscal  year by the
                     target   earnings   per  share  set  forth  in
                     Exhibit A for such fiscal year;

               D.    if the Company shall not have achieved the target 
                     earnings per share set forth in Exhibit A attached
                     hereto  for fiscal  years  2002,  2003  and/or
                     2004,  but the  Company  shall  have  achieved
                     cumulative  earnings per share  aggregating at
                     least the aggregate  target earnings per share
                     for fiscal  years 2002  through 2004 set forth
                     in  Exhibit  A  attached   hereto,   then  any
                     options to purchase  Performance Option Shares
                     that  did not  vest  and  become  exercisable,
                     pursuant to  subparagraphs  (b)(2)(i)  through
                     (iii) and (b)(3)A through C above,  shall vest
                     and become  exercisable  as of March 15, 2005;
                     and

               E.    any Performance Option Shares that shall not have
                     vested and become exercisable, pursuant to 
                     subparagraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iii) and (b)(3)A 
                     through D above, as of March 15, 2005, shall lapse
                     and such portion of the option shall be canceled
                     immediately upon determination thereof.


      The Company  shall enter into Stock  Option  Agreements  with
      the   Executive   for  the   above   stock   option   grants,
      incorporating   the  vesting  terms  set  forth  above,   and
      otherwise  substantially  on the  terms  and  conditions  set
      forth  in the form of the  Company's  standard  Stock  Option
      Agreement  previously approved by the Compensation  Committee

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5

      of the Board of  Directors,  including,  but not  limited to,
      terms providing for accelerated exercisability.


(c)   RESTRICTED STOCK.
      ----------------

(1)   Executive   will   be   granted   fifty   thousand   (50,000)
      time-vested  restricted shares of Common Stock of the Company
      (the "Time  Restricted  Shares") under the Option Plan on the
      Effective  Date.  One-third  of the  Time  Restricted  Shares
      shall vest on, and be  delivered  to the  Executive  promptly
      following,  each  of the  first  three  anniversaries  of the
      Effective   Date,   provided  the   Executive   has  remained
                          --------
      continuously  employed  by the Company  until the  applicable
      date.

(2)   The  Executive  will  be  granted  fifty  thousand   (50,000)
      performance  vested  restricted shares of Common Stock of the
      Company  (the  "Performance  Restricted  Shares")  under  the
      Option Plan on the Effective  Date.  The  Executive's  rights
      to the  Performance  Restricted  Shares  shall  vest  and the
      restrictions thereon shall lapse as follows:


                 (i) 16,666  Performance  Restricted  Shares  shall
                     vest and  become  exercisable  as of March 15,
                     2003,  if  the  Company  shall  have  achieved
                     earnings  per share for fiscal year 2002 of at
                     least the target  earnings per share set forth
                     in Exhibit A attached hereto;

                (ii) 16,667  Performance  Restricted  Shares  shall
                     vest and  become  exercisable  as of March 15,
                     2004,  if  the  Company  shall  have  achieved
                     earnings  per share for fiscal year 2003 of at
                     least the target  earnings per share set forth
                     in Exhibit A attached hereto; and

                (iii)16,667  Performance  Restricted  Shares  shall
                     vest and  become  exercisable  as of March 15,
                     2005,  if  the  Company  shall  have  achieved
                     earnings  per share for fiscal year 2004 of at
                     least the target  earnings per share set forth
                     in Exhibit A attached hereto;


           (3)  In addition,

                A.   if  the  Company's   earnings  per  share  for
                     fiscal year 2002 are  greater  than the target
                     earnings  per share for such  fiscal  year set
                     forth in  Exhibit A attached  hereto,  then in
                     addition to the 16,666 Performance  Restricted
                     Shares  that  vest as of  March  15,  2003,  a
                     portion of the Performance  Restricted  Shares
                     eligible  to vest on March 15, 2004 shall vest
                     as of March 15,  2003  calculated  as follows:
                     16,666    multiplied    by    the    "Increase
                     Percentage";

                B.   if  the  Company's   earnings  per  share  for
                     fiscal year 2003 are  greater  than the target
                     earnings  per share for such  Fiscal  Year set
                     forth in  Exhibit A attached  hereto,  then in
                     addition to the 16,667 Performance  Restricted
                     Shares  that  vest as of  March  15,  2004,  a
                     portion of the Performance  Restricted  Shares
                     eligible  to vest on March 15, 2005 shall vest
                     as of March 15,  2004  calculated  as follows:

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6

                     16,667    multiplied    by    the    "Increase
                     Percentage" (as defined herein);


                C.   if  the  Company's   earnings  per  share  for
                     fiscal  years 2002,  2003 and/or 2004 are less
                     than  100%  but at  least  90%  of the  target
                     earnings  per share for such  fiscal  year set
                     forth in Exhibit A attached  hereto,  then the
                     number of Performance  Restricted  Shares that
                     vest for such fiscal year shall be  calculated
                     as  follows:  16,666  or  16,667,  as the case
                     may   be,    multiplied   by   the   "Decrease
                     Percentage";


                D.   if the  Company  shall not have  achieved  the
                     target   earnings   per  share  set  forth  in
                     Exhibit A attached  hereto  for  fiscal  years
                     2002,  2003 and/or 2004, but the Company shall
                     have  achieved  cumulative  earnings per share
                     aggregating  at  least  the  aggregate  target
                     earnings  per  share  for  fiscal  years  2002
                     through  2004 set forth in  Exhibit A attached
                     hereto,   then  any   Performance   Restricted
                     Shares   that   did  not  vest   pursuant   to
                     subparagraphs   (c)(2)(i)  through  (iii)  and
                     (c)(3)A  through C above,  shall  vest and the
                     restrictions  thereon  shall lapse as of March
                     15, 2005; and


                E.   any Performance  Restricted  Shares that shall
                     not have  vested,  pursuant  to  subparagraphs
                     (c)(2)(i)  through (iii) and (c)(3)A through D
                     above   as   of   March   15,   2005,    shall
                     automatically be forfeited by the Executive.


The Company  shall enter into a  Restricted  Stock Award  Agreement
with the  Executive  for each of the  above  grants  of  restricted
shares,  incorporating  the  vesting  terms  set forth  above  with
respect  to  each  such  grant,  and  otherwise  on the  terms  and
conditions  set  forth  in  the  form  of  Restricted  Stock  Award
Agreement  previously  approved by the  Compensation  Committee  of
the  Board of  Directors  for  restricted  stock  awards  under the
Option Plan,  including,  but not limited to, terms  providing  for
accelerated vesting.


(d)   OTHER BENEFITS.  During the period of Executive's  employment
      ---------------
hereunder,   the  Executive   shall  continue  to  be  entitled  to
participate  in all other  employee  benefit  plans,  programs  and
arrangements  of the  Company,  as now or  hereinafter  in  effect,
which are  applicable  to the Company's  employees  generally or to
its  executive  officers,  as the case may be,  subject to and on a
basis   consistent   with  the  terms,   conditions   and   overall
administration  of such plans,  programs and  arrangements.  During
the  period of  Executive's  employment  hereunder,  the  Executive
shall  be  entitled  to  participate  in  and  receive  any  fringe
benefits  or  perquisites   which  may  become   available  to  the
Company's executive  employees.  Without limiting the generality of
the  foregoing,  the  Company  shall  provide  the  Executive  with
financial  planning  and tax  preparation  services  on a  tax-free
basis.


(e)   VACATIONS AND OTHER LEAVES.  The Executive  shall be entitled
      --------------------------
to an aggregate  paid  vacation of not less than four (4) weeks for
each  twelve  (12) month  period of the Term  hereof.  Payment  for
any accrued  and unused  vacation  time at the time of  termination
of  this  Agreement  shall  be in  accordance  with  the  Company's
policies at the time of such  termination.  The Executive  shall be
entitled to paid  holidays  and personal  leave days in  accordance
with the Company policy covering executive employees.

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(f)   EXPENSES.  During  the period of the  Executive's  employment
      ---------
hereunder,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement  for all reasonable and customary  expenses  incurred
by the Executive in performing  services  hereunder,  including all
expenses  of  travel  and  accommodations  while  away from home on
business or at the  request of and in the  service of the  Company;
provided  that,  such  expenses are incurred and  accounted  for in
accordance  with the policies  and  procedures  established  by the
Company.  It is  understood  and  agreed  by  Executive  that  such
reimbursement  shall not cover  expenses and costs  incurred by him
in connection  with his commuting  from his principal  residence as
described in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement.


(g)   SERVICES  FURNISHED.  The Company shall furnish the Executive
      --------------------
with  office  space,   stenographic   assistance   and  such  other
facilities  and  services as shall be  suitable to the  Executive's
position and adequate for the performance of his duties hereunder.


6.    TERMINATION.  The  Executive's  employment  hereunder  may be
      -----------
terminated   without  breach  of  this  Agreement  only  under  the
following circumstances:


(a)   DEATH. The Executive's  employment  hereunder shall terminate
      ------
upon his death.

(b)   DISABILITY.  If,  as a result of the  Executive's  incapacity
      ----------
due to physical or mental  illness,  the Executive  shall have been
absent  from his  duties  hereunder  on a full  time  basis for the
entire  period of six (6)  consecutive  months,  and within  thirty
(30) days after written  Notice of  Termination  (as defined below)
is given  (which may occur  before or after the end of such six (6)
month  period) shall not have  returned to the  performance  of his
duties hereunder on a full-time  basis, the Executive's  employment
hereunder shall terminate for "Disability."

(c)   CAUSE.  The Company may terminate the Executive's  employment
      -----
hereunder  for  "Cause".  For  purposes  of  this  Agreement,   the
Company   shall  have   "Cause"  to   terminate   the   Executive's
employment  hereunder upon (i) the  Executive's  conviction for the
commission  of any act or acts  constituting  a  felony  under  the
laws of the  United  States or any state  thereof,  (ii)  action by
the Executive toward the Company  involving  dishonesty (other than
good  faith  expense  account  disputes),   (iii)  the  Executive's
refusal to abide by or follow  written  directions  of the Board of
Directors,  (iv) the Executive's  gross  nonfeasance which does not
cease within ten (10)  business  days after notice  regarding  such
nonfeasance  has been given to the  Executive by the Company or (v)
failure  of  the  Executive  to  comply  with  the   provisions  of
Paragraph  9  (prior  to a  cessation  of  employment  following  a
Change in  Control  of the  Company)  or 10 of this  Agreement,  or
other willful  conduct by the  Executive  which is intended to have
and does have a material adverse impact on the Company.


(d)   TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE.
      -----------------------------

(1)   The  Executive may  terminate  his  employment  hereunder for
      "Good Reason". For purposes of this Agreement,  the Executive
      shall  have  "Good  Reason"  to  terminate   his   employment
      hereunder  (i) upon a failure by the  Company to comply  with
      any material  provision of this Agreement  which has not been
      cured  within ten (10)  business  days  after  notice of such
      noncompliance   has  been  given  by  the  Executive  to  the
      Company,  (ii) upon  action  by the  Company  resulting  in a
      diminution of the Executive's title or authority,  (iii) upon
      the Company's  relocation of the Executive's  principal place
      of  employment  outside  of the New  York  City  Metropolitan
      Area,  (iv)  one  year  after a  "Change  in  Control  of the
      Company"  (as defined in  Paragraph  (d)(2)  below) or (v) at

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8

      any  time  following  the  expiration  of  ninety  (90)  days
 
      following the Company's  issuance of a Nonrenewal Notice. The
      Executive may terminate his  employment  voluntarily  without
      Good  Reason upon at least six  months'  prior  notice to the
      Company.


(2)   For purposes of this  Agreement,  a "Change in Control of the
      Company" will be deemed to have occurred if:


      (A)  any "person",  as such term is used in Paragraphs  13(d)
           and 14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
           amended (the "Exchange Act"),  other than (1) any person
           who on the date  hereof is a director  or officer of the
           Company,  (2) any  trustee  or other  fiduciary  holding
           securities   under  an  employee  benefit  plan  of  the
           Company,  or (3)  any  corporation  owned,  directly  or
           indirectly,  by  the  stockholders  of the  Company  (in
           substantially  the same proportion as their ownership of
           stock of the  corporation  ) (a  "Person") is or becomes
           the  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
           the   Exchange   Act),   directly  or   indirectly,   of
           securities  of the Company  representing  20% or more of
           the  combined   voting  power  of  the  Company's   then
           outstanding voting securities;

      (B)  during any period of two consecutive years,  individuals
           who at the  beginning  of  such  period  constitute  the
           Board,  and  any new  director  (other  than a  director
           designated   by  a  person  who  has  entered   into  an
           agreement  with the  Company  to  effect  a  transaction
           described  in clause (A),  (C) or (D) of this  Paragraph
           6(d)(2))  whose  election by the Board or nomination for
           election by the Company's  stockholders  was approved by
           a vote of at least  two-thirds  (2/3)  of the  directors
           then still in office who either  were  directors  at the
           beginning of the period or whose  election or nomination
           for election was  previously so approved,  cease for any
           reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;


      (C)  there is  consummated a merger or  consolidation  of the
           Company  with any other  corporation,  other  than (1) a
           merger  or  consolidation  which  would  result  in  the
           voting    securities   of   the   Company    outstanding
           immediately   prior  thereto   continuing  to  represent
           (either by remaining  outstanding or by being  converted
           into voting  securities  of the  surviving  entity) more
           than 80% of the  combined  voting  power  of the  voting
           securities  of the  Company  or  such  surviving  entity
           outstanding    immediately    after   such   merger   or
           consolidation or (2) a merger or consolidation  effected
           to  implement  a  recapitalization  of the  Company  (or
           similar  transaction)  in which no Person is or  becomes
           the   beneficial   owner  (as  defined  in  (A)  above),
           directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of the Company
           representing  20% or more of the  combined  voting power
           of the Company's then outstanding securities; or


      (D)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  approve  a  plan  of
           complete  liquidation of the Company or an agreement for
           the  sale  or  disposition  by  the  Company  of  all or
           substantially all of the Company's assets.

(e)   NOTICE OF  TERMINATION.  Any  termination of the  Executive's
      ----------------------
employment  by  the  Company  or  by  the  Executive   (other  than
termination  under  Paragraph 6(a) hereof) shall be communicated by
written  Notice  of  Termination  to  the  other  party  hereto  in
accordance   with  Paragraph  12  hereof.   For  purposes  of  this
Agreement,  a "Notice of  Termination"  shall  mean a notice  which
shall   indicate  the  specific   termination   provision  in  this
Agreement  relied  upon and shall set  forth in  reasonable  detail

================================================================================
9

the  facts  and  circumstances  claimed  to  provide  a  basis  for
termination of the  Executive's  employment  under the provision to
indicated.

(f)   DATE OF  TERMINATION.  "Date of  Termination"  shall mean (i)
      --------------------
if the  Executive's  employment  is  terminated  by his death,  the
date  of  his  death,   (ii)  if  the  Executive's   employment  is
terminated  pursuant to subparagraph  (b) above,  the date which is
the  later of thirty  (30) days  after  Notice  of  Termination  is
given  (provided that the Executive  shall not have returned to the
performance  of his duties on a full-time  basis during such thirty
(30)  day  period)  or the  end of the six  (6)  consecutive  month
period  referred  to in  subparagraph  (b) above,  and (iii) if the
Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to subparagraph (c)
or (d) above,  the date  specified  in the  Notice of  Termination;
provided  that,  if within  thirty  (30) days  after any  Notice of
Termination   is  given  the  party   receiving   such   Notice  of
Termination   notifies  the  other  party  that  a  dispute  exists
concerning the  termination,  the Date of Termination  shall be the
date on which the dispute is finally  determined,  either by mutual
written  agreement  of  the  parties  or  by a  binding  and  final
arbitration award.

7.    COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION OR DURING DISABILITY.
      --------------------------------------------------

(a)   DISABILITY.  During any period  that the  Executive  fails to
      ----------
perform  his  duties  hereunder  as a result of  incapacity  due to
physical  or  mental  illness,  the  Executive  shall  continue  to
receive  his  full  salary  at the  rate  then in  effect  for such
period and other applicable  benefits  provided to active employees
until his  employment  is  terminated  pursuant to  Paragraph  6(b)
hereof.  Subject to the  provisions  of Paragraph 9 hereof,  in the
event  the  Executive's   employment  is  terminated   pursuant  to
Paragraph 6(b) hereof, then


(i)   as soon as practicable thereafter,  the Company shall pay the
Executive  all unpaid  amounts,  if any, to which the  Executive is
entitled  as of  the  Date  of  Termination  under  Paragraph  5(a)
hereof  and  shall pay to the  Executive,  in  accordance  with the
terms of the applicable  plan or program,  all other unpaid amounts
to which  Executive  is then  entitled  under any  compensation  or
benefit  plan or program  of the  Company  (collectively,  "Accrued
Obligations"); and

(ii)  following the Date of Termination  and for a period of twelve
(12) months  thereafter (the "Disability  Severance  Period"),  the
Company  shall pay the  Executive  monthly  an amount  equal to (x)
the  quotient  of (A) the sum of (1) the  Executive's  annual  base
salary  at the rate in  effect  as of the Date of  Termination  and
(2) the average of the annual  bonuses  earned by the  Executive in
the three fiscal years of the Company  ended  immediately  prior to
the Date of  Termination,  divided  by (B) the number  twelve  (12)
(such   quotient   being  referred  to  herein  as  the  "Severance
Payments"),  minus (y) any amounts payable to the Executive  during
such month as a disability benefit under a Company paid plan.


(b)   DEATH.  If the  Executive's  employment  is terminated by his
      -----
death,  the Company  shall pay to the person(s) or entity set forth
in  Paragraph   11(b)  hereof  the  Accrued   Obligations  and  the
Severance  Payments at the time(s) set forth in Paragraphs  7(a)(i)
and 7 (a)(ii) hereof.


(c)   TERMINATION FOR CAUSE;  VOLUNTARY  TERMINATION  WITHOUT GOOD 
      ------------------------------------------------------------
REASON.  If  the  Executive's   employment  is  terminated  by  the
------
Company for Cause or  voluntarily  by the  Executive for other than
Good Reason  (including by reason of the  expiration of the Term of
this  Agreement  as a result of a  Nonrenewal  Notice  having  been
given  by  the  Executive),  the  Company  shall  pay  the  Accrued
Obligations   to  the   Executive  at  the  time(s)  set  forth  in

================================================================================
10

Paragraph  7(a)(i)  hereof  and the  Company  shall have no further
obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.


(d)   TERMINATION  WITHOUT  CAUSE;  TERMINATION  FOR GOOD REASON;  
      -----------------------------------------------------------
NONRENEWAL.  If (i) the Company  shall  terminate  the  Executive's
----------
employment  other than for  Disability  pursuant to Paragraph  6(b)
or for Cause,  (ii) the Executive  shall  terminate his  employment
for Good Reason,  or (iii) the Term of this Agreement  expires as a
result  of  a  Nonrenewal   Notice  having  been  provided  by  the
Company, then, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 9 hereof:


(1)   the  Company  shall  pay  the  Accrued   Obligations  to  the
      Executive  at the  time(s)  set  forth in  Paragraph  7(a)(i)
      hereof;


(2)   (A) unless clause (B) below applies,  then following the Date
      of   Termination   and  for  the  longer  of  twelve   months
      thereafter  or the  remaining  Term  of this  Agreement,  the
      Company  shall pay to the  Executive  monthly an amount equal
      to the Severance  Payments (as defined in Paragraph  7(a)(ii)
      hereof),  or (B) in the event the Date of Termination  occurs
      following  a Change in  Control,  then,  within five (5) days
      after the Date of  Termination,  the Company shall pay to the
      Executive  in a lump sum an amount  equal to the  product  of
      (x) the sum of the  Executive's  base  salary  at the rate in
      effect as of the Date of  Termination  and the average of the
      annual  bonuses  earned by the  Executive in the three fiscal
      years of the Company ended  immediately  prior to the Date of
      Termination (or, if higher,  in the three fiscal years of the
      Company  ended  immediately  prior to the Change in  Control)
      multiplied  by (y) the number three (3). For purposes of this
      subparagraph  (2):  (i) if the  Date  of  Termination  occurs
      prior to the  occurrence  of a Change in  Control  but during
      the   pendency   of  a   Potential   Change  in  Control  (as
      hereinafter  defined),  such  Date of  Termination  shall  be
      deemed to have  occurred  following  a Change in Control  and
      (ii) a "Potential  Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
      occurred  if the event set forth in any one of the  following
      clauses shall have occurred:


                (i)  the  Company  enters  into an  agreement,  the
                     consummation  of  which  would  result  in the
                     occurrence of a Change in Control;


                (ii) the  Company  or any  Person  (as  defined  in
                     Paragraph    6(d)(2)(A)    hereof)    publicly
                     announces  an intention to take or to consider
                     taking actions which,  if  consummated,  would
                     constitute a Change in Control;


                (iii)any Person  becomes the  beneficial  owner (as
                     defined  in  Rule  13d-3  under  the  Exchange
                     Act),  directly or  indirectly,  of securities
                     of the  Company  representing  15% or  more of
                     either the then  outstanding  shares of common
                     stock of the  Company or the  combined  voting
                     power  of  the  Company's   then   outstanding
                     securities  (not  including in the  securities
                     beneficially   owned   by  such   Person   any
                     securities    acquired   directly   from   the
                     Company); or


                (iv) the Board  adopts a  resolution  to the effect
                     that, for purposes of this  subparagraph  (2),
                     a Potential Change in Control has occurred.
================================================================================
11

      The  pendency  of  a  Potential   Change  in  Control   shall
      immediately  cease upon the adoption of a  resolution  of the
      Company's Board of Directors to that effect.


(3)   the  Executive  shall  continue to be provided  with the same
      medical and life  insurance  coverage as existed  immediately
      prior to the  applicable  Notice of  Termination or Notice of
      Nonrenewal,  as the case may be,  such  coverage  to continue
      throughout  the period with respect to which the Executive is
      entitled to receive Severance  Payments (or, if clause (B) of
      Paragraph  7(d)(2)  applies,  for a period of three (3) years
      following the Date of Termination);


(4)   the Executive  shall be provided with  outplacement  services
      commensurate with his position;


(5)   the  Executive  shall be entitled to continue to exercise all
      outstanding  options  that were or became  exercisable  as of
      the  Date  of  Termination   until  the  90th  day  following
      expiration  of the period with respect to which the Executive
      is entitled to receive Severance  Payments (or, if clause (B)
      of   Paragraph   7(d)(2)   applies,   following   the   third
      anniversary  of the  Date of  Termination),  but in no  event
      after expiration of the term of such options;


(6)   any  unvested  stock  options  shall  become fully vested and
      exercisable and any unvested  restricted  shares shall become
      fully vested ; and


(7)   the  Company  shall  pay the  Executive,  at the same time as
      bonuses are paid to other  Company  executives,  a Bonus with
      respect  to the  fiscal  year in  which  occurs  the  Date of
      Termination,  such Bonus to be based upon actual  performance
      for such  fiscal  year and pro rated to reflect the number of
      days in such fiscal year  through and  including  the Date of
      Termination.


8.    GROSS-UP  PAYMENT.  In the event that any  payment or benefit
      -----------------
received or to be received by the  Executive in  connection  with a
Change  in  Control  of  the  Company  or  the  termination  of the
Executive's  employment,  whether  such  payments or  benefits  are
received  pursuant  to the  terms of this  Agreement  or any  other
plan,  arrangement or agreement with the Company,  any person whose
actions  result  in a  Change  in  Control  of the  Company  or any
person  affiliated  with  the  Company  or such  person  (all  such
payments and benefits being hereinafter  called "Total  Payments"),
would be  subject  (in  whole  or  part),  to the tax (the  "Excise
Tax") imposed  under  Section 4999 of the Internal  Revenue Code of
1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code"),  the  Company  shall  pay to the
Executive such additional  amounts (the "Gross-Up  Payment") as may
be  necessary  to  place  the  Executive  in  the  same   after-tax
position as if no portion of the Total  Payments  had been  subject
to  the  Excise   Tax.   In  the  event  that  the  Excise  Tax  is
subsequently  determined  to be less  than the  amount  taken  into
account  hereunder,  the Executive  shall repay to the Company,  at
the  time  that the  amount  of such  reduction  in  Excise  Tax is
finally   determined,   the   portion  of  the   Gross-Up   Payment
attributable  to the  reduction  (plus that portion of the Gross-Up
Payment  attributable  to the  Excise  Tax and  federal,  state and
local  income tax imposed on the Gross-Up  Payment  being repaid by
the  Executive  to the  extent  that such  repayment  results  in a
reduction in Excise Tax and/or  federal,  state or local income tax
deduction)  plus  interest on the amount of such  repayment  at the
rate  provided in Section  1274(b)(2)(B)  of the Code. In the event
that the Excise Tax is  determined  to exceed the amount taken into
account   hereunder   (including  by  reason  of  any  payment  the
existence  of  which  cannot  be  determined  at  the  time  of the
Gross-Up  Payment,  the Company shall make an  additional  Gross-Up
Payment in respect of such  excess  (plus any  interest,  penalties

===============================================================================
12

or  additions  payable  by  the  Executive  with  respect  of  such
excess)  at the time  that the  amount of such  excess  if  finally
determined.  The Executive  and the Company  shall each  reasonably
cooperate with the other in connection with any  administrative  or
judicial   proceedings   concerning  the  existence  or  amount  of
liability for Excise Tax with respect to the Total Payments.


9.    NONSOLICITATION; NONCOMPETE.
      ----------------------------

(a)   Subject  to (c)  below,  during  the  period  of  Executive's
employment,  during the period he is receiving  Severance  Payments
hereunder  and,  in the case where the  Executive's  employment  is
terminated  for  Cause  or  Executive  voluntarily  terminates  his
employment  without  Good  Reason,  for a  period  of  twelve  (12)
months  following  such   termination,   the  Executive  shall  not
initiate  discussions  (of a  non-isolated  nature) with any person
who is then an executive  employee of the Company  (i.e.,  director
                                                    ----
level or above)  with the intent of  soliciting  or  inducing  such
person to leave his or her  employment  with a view toward  joining
the Executive in the pursuit of any business  activity  (whether or
not  such  activity   involves   engaging  or  participating  in  a
Competitive  Business  (as  defined  below)).  Notwithstanding  any
other  provision of this  Agreement to the  contrary,  in the event
Executive fails to comply with the preceding  sentence,  all rights
of the  Executive  and his  surviving  spouse or other  beneficiary
hereunder  to any future  Severance  Payments and  continuing  life
insurance  and  medical  coverage  and all rights  with  respect to
restricted  stock  and  exercisability  of stock  options  shall be
forfeited;  provided  that,  the foregoing  shall not apply if such
failure of  compliance  commences  following a Change in Control of
the Company.


(b)   Subject  to  (c)  below,   as  long  as  Executive   receives
Severance   Payments,   or  in  the  case  where  the   Executive's
employment  is  terminated  for  Cause  or  Executive   voluntarily
terminates  his  employment  without Good  Reason,  for a period of
twelve (12) months  following  such  termination,  Executive  shall
not,  without  the prior  written  consent  of the  Company  (which
consent   shall   not  be   unreasonably   withheld),   engage   or
participate in any business which is "in  competition"  (as defined
below)  with the  business of the Company or any of its 50% or more
owned  affiliates  (such  business  being  referred  to herein as a
"Competitive  Business").  Notwithstanding  any other  provision of
this  Agreement to the contrary,  in the event the Executive  fails
to  comply  with  the  preceding   sentence,   all  rights  of  the
Executive and his surviving spouse or other  beneficiary  hereunder
to any future  Severance  Payments and  continuing  life  insurance
and  medical  coverage  and all rights with  respect to  restricted
stock  and  exercisability  of stock  options  shall be  forfeited;
provided  that,  the  foregoing  shall not apply if such failure of
compliance commences following a Change in Control of the Company.


(c)   In the  event  of a  violation  of  Paragraphs  9(a)  or 9(b)
hereof,  the  remedies  of the  Company  shall be limited to (i) if
such violation  occurs during the period of Executive's  employment
hereunder,   termination   of  the  Executive  for  Cause  and  the
associated   rights  of  the  Company  specified  herein  resulting
therefrom,   (ii)   regardless  of  when  such  violation   occurs,
forfeiture  by the  Executive  of the  payments  and  benefits  set
forth  in  paragraphs  (a)  and  (b)  above  if and  to the  extent
provided  in  such   paragraphs,   and  (iii)  the  right  to  seek
injunctive  relief in  accordance  with and to the extent  provided
in Paragraph 16 hereof;  provided,  such injunctive relief may only
be sought for  competitive  activity  under  Paragraph (b) above if
such  activity  occurs  during   employment  or  after  Executive's
dismissal  for  Cause  or  Executive  voluntarily   terminates  his
employment without Good Reason.


(d)   For  purposes  hereof,  a business  will be "in  competition"
with  the  business  of the  Company  or  its  50%  or  more  owned
affiliates  only if (i)  the  Company's  business  with  which  the
other  business   competes   accounted  for  20%  or  more  of  the
Company's   consolidated  revenues  as  of  the  end  of  its  most

================================================================================
13

recently  completed  fiscal year prior to the Date of  Termination,
and (ii) the entity  (including  all 50% or more owned  affiliates)
through which the other  business is or will be operated  maintains
a "woman's  apparel"  business which generated at least $50 million
in revenues  during the entity's  most  recently  completed  fiscal
year ended prior to the date the  Executive  commences (or proposes
to commence) to engage or  participate in the other  business.  For
purposes  hereof,  "woman's  apparel"  shall  consist  of  dresses,
jackets, pants, skirts,  blouses,  sweaters,  T-shirts,  outerwear,
footwear and accessories.


(e)   Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Executive's  engaging in
the  following  activities  shall not be  construed  as engaging or
participating in a Competitive  Business:  (i) investment  banking;
(ii) passive  ownership of less than 2% of any class of  securities
of  a  public   company;   (iii)  engaging  or   participating   in
noncompetitive  businesses  of an  entity  which  also  operates  a
business  which  is  "in  competition"  with  the  business  of the
Company or its affiliates;  (iv) serving as an outside  director of
an entity  which  operates  a  business  which is "in  competition"
with the  business  of the  Company or its  affiliates,  so long as
such  business did not account for 10% or more of the  consolidated
revenues  of  such  entity  as of  the  end of  its  most  recently
completed  fiscal year prior to the date  Executive  commences  (or
proposes to commence) serving as a outside  director;  (v) engaging
in a  business  involving  licensing  arrangements  so long as such
business  is  not  an  in-house  arrangement  for  any  entity  "in
competition"  with the  business of the Company or its  affiliates;
(vi)  affiliation  with an  advertising  agency;  and  (vii)  after
cessation  of  employment,   engaging  or   participating   in  the
"wholesale"  side  of  the  woman's  apparel  business,  which  for
purposes  hereof  shall mean the  design,  manufacture  and sale of
piece  goods  and  woman's  apparel  to  unrelated  third  parties,
provided  that if the  entity  for which  Executive  so  engages or
participates  (including  its  affiliates)  also  conducts a retail
woman's   apparel   business,   then  effective  upon   Executive's
engaging or  participating  in such business,  all continuing  life
insurance  and  medical  coverage  provided  by the  Company  shall
cease and all  Severance  Payments  shall cease  except for amounts
representing  the  excess  (if  any)  of  Executive's  annual  base
salary  hereunder  (at  the  rate  in  effect  as of  the  Date  of
Termination)  over the  Executive's  base salary received from such
entity and its  affiliates,  which  amounts  shall  continue  to be
paid by the  Company for the  remainder  of the period in which the
Executive  is entitled  to receive  Severance  Payments  hereunder.
The   exceptions   contained  in   subparagraph   (vii)  above  and
subparagraph  (iii)  above to the extent  covered  by  subparagraph
(vii)  shall  not  be  applicable  if   Executive's   cessation  of
employment  is voluntary  by Executive  without Good Reason and his
new engagement or  participation  involves  "wholesale"  operations
which  include or also  conduct  retail  sales of  woman's  apparel
other than factory  outlet or discount  stores to liquidate  unsold
woman's apparel of such wholesale operations.


10.   PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
      ---------------------------------------

(a)   Executive  acknowledges  that his  employment  by the Company
will,   throughout  the  Term  of  this   Agreement,   involve  his
obtaining  knowledge  of  confidential  information  regarding  the
business  and  affairs  of  the  Company.  In  recognition  of  the
foregoing, the Executive covenants and agrees that:


(i)   except in compliance with legal process,  he will keep secret
all  confidential  matters of the Company  which are not  otherwise
in the public  domain and will not  intentionally  disclose them to
anyone  outside of the Company,  wherever  located (other than to a
person to whom  disclosure is reasonably  necessary or  appropriate
in connection  with the  performance  by Executive of his duties as
an executive  officer of the  Company),  either during or after the

================================================================================
14


Term,  except  with the  prior  written  consent  of the Board or a
person authorized thereby; and



      (ii) he will deliver promptly to the Company on termination of his
employment, or at any other time the Company may so request, all memoranda,
notes, records, customer lists, reports and other documents (and all copies
thereof)  relating to the business of the Company  which he obtained  while
employed by, or  otherwise  serving or acting on behalf of, the Company and
which he may then possess or have under his control.



      (b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 16 of this Agreement,
if the Executive commits a breach of the provisions of Paragraphs  10(a)(i)
or  10(a)(ii),  the  Company  shall  have the right and remedy to have such
provisions  specifically  enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction,
it being  acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach
will cause  irreparable  injury to the Company and that money  damages will
not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.


11.   SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
      -----------------------------

      (a)   Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be
assignable or otherwise  subject to  hypothecation by the Executive
(except  by  will  or  by   operation  of  the  laws  of  intestate
succession)  or by  the  Company,  except  that  the  Company  will
require any  successor  (whether  direct or indirect,  by purchase,
merger,  consolidation  or otherwise) to all or  substantially  all
of the  business  and/or  assets of the  Company,  by  agreement in
form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Executive,  to
expressly  assume and agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent  that the  Company  would be required
to perform it if no such  succession  had taken  place.  Failure of
the Company to obtain such  assumption  and agreement  prior to the
effectiveness  of any such  succession  shall  be a breach  of this
Agreement  and shall  entitle the  Executive to  compensation  from
the  Company  in the same  amount and on the same terms as he would
be entitled to hereunder if he terminated  his  employment for Good
Reason,  except that for purposes of  implementing  the  foregoing,
the date on which any such  succession  becomes  effective shall be
deemed  the  Date  of  Termination.  As  used  in  this  Agreement,
"Company"  shall mean the Company as herein before  defined and any
successor  to  its  business   and/or  assets  as  aforesaid  which
executes  and  delivers   the   agreement   provided  for  in  this
Paragraph  11 or which  otherwise  becomes  bound by all the  terms
and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.


       (b)   This Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder
shall  inure  to  the  benefit  of  and  be   enforceable   by  the
Executive's   personal   or   legal   representatives,   executors,
administrators,   successors,   heirs,  distributes,   devises  and
legatees.  If the  Executive  should  die while any  amounts  would
still be  payable to him  hereunder  if he had  continued  to live,
all such amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein,  shall be paid
in accordance  with the terms of this Agreement to the  Executive's
devisee,  legatee,  or  other  designee  or,  if  there  be no such
designee, to the Executive's estate.


12.   NOTICE. For the purposes of this Agreement,  notices, demands
      ------
and all other  communications  provided for in this Agreement shall
be in  writing  and shall be deemed  to have been duly  given  when
personally  delivered to the  Executive or an executive  officer of
the  Company,  mailed  by United  States  certified  or  registered
mail, return receipt  requested,  postage prepaid,  or by overnight
courier service, to the address as follows:


      If to the Company:

================================================================================
15


           AnnTaylor Stores Corporation
           142 West 57th Street
           New York, New York  10019
           Attn: General Counsel


      If to the Executive:
           J. Patrick Spainhour
           114 Scarlet Drive
           Columbus, Mississippi  39701


or to such  other  address as any party may have  furnished  to the
other in writing in  accordance  herewith,  except that  notices of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.


13.   MISCELLANEOUS.   No  provisions  of  this  Agreement  may  be
      
modified,  waived or  discharged  unless such waiver,  modification
or  discharge  is agreed to in a  writing  signed by the  Executive
and such officer of the Company as may be  specifically  designated
by the Board.  No waiver by either  party hereto at any time of any
breach by the  other  party  hereto  of, or  compliance  with,  any
condition or  provision  of this  Agreement to be performed by such
other  party  shall be deemed a waiver  of  similar  or  dissimilar
provisions   or   conditions  at  the  same  or  at  any  prior  or
subsequent  time.  No  agreements  or   representations,   oral  or
otherwise,  express or implied,  with respect to the subject matter
hereof  have  been  made by  either  party  which are not set forth
expressly  in  this   Agreement.   The  validity,   interpretation,
construction  and  performance of this Agreement  shall be governed
by the  laws  of  the  State  of New  York  without  regard  to its
conflicts of law principles.



14.   VALIDITY.   The   invalidity  or   unenforceability   of  any
      --------
provision  or  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall not affect the
validity  or   enforceability   of  any  other  provision  of  this
Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.



15.   COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement may be executed in one or more
      ------------
counterparts  and by  facsimile  signature  each of which  shall be
deemed  to  be  an  original  but  all  of  which   together   will
constitute one and the same instrument.



16.   ARBITRATION.  Any dispute or controversy  arising under or in
      -----------
connection  with this  Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively  by
arbitration  conducted  before a panel of three  arbitrators in New
York  City  in   accordance   with  the   rules  of  the   American
Arbitration  Association  then in effect.  Judgment  may be entered
on  the  arbitrator's  award  in  any  court  having  jurisdiction;
provided   that,   the   Company   shall  be  entitled  to  seek  a
restraining   order  or   injunction  in  any  court  of  competent
jurisdiction  to prevent any  continuation  of any violation of the
provisions  of  Paragraph 9 of the  Agreement  during the period of
Executive's  employment  or following  Executive's  termination  of
employment  for Cause or the  voluntary  termination  of employment
by  Executive  without  Good  Reason  or of  Paragraph  10 of  this
Agreement  at any time,  and the  Executive  hereby  consents  that
such  restraining  order or injunction  may be granted  without the
necessity of the Company's  posting any bond; and further  provided
that,   the   Executive   shall  be  entitled   to  seek   specific
performance  of his right to be paid until the Date of  Termination
during the  pendency of any dispute or  controversy  arising  under
or in  connection  with  this  Agreement.  The  Company  shall  pay
directly or reimburse  the  Executive  for any legal fees  incurred
by  Executive in  connection  with any  arbitration  related to the
last proviso of the  preceding  sentence and any other  arbitration
in which he prevails.

================================================================================
16

17.   ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  sets  forth  the  entire
      -----------------
agreement  of the parties  hereto in respect of the subject  matter
contained   herein  and   supersedes   any  and  all  other   prior
agreements,  promises,  covenants,  arrangements,   communications,
representations  or  warranties,  whether  oral or written,  by any
officer,   employee  or   representative   of  any  party   hereto,
including,  without limitation,  the Employment  Agreement dated as
of February 16, 1996, as amended.


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date and year first above written.



                          ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION



                          By:    /s/ Robert C. Grayson
                                 ____________________________________

                          Name:      Robert C. Grayson
                          Title: Chairman AnnTaylor Stores Corporation
                                     Compensation Committee





                          EXECUTIVE

                                    /s/ J. Patrick Spainhour
                          ____________________________________
                                        J. Patrick Spainhour


 

                          March 5, 2002

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