Ascena Retail Group is an American retailer of womens clothing. Ascena also owns the Maurices Justice Lane Bryant and Catherines clothing store brands and is the parent company of Ann operator of Ann Taylor and Loft stores.The first Dress Barn was opened in February 1962 in Stamford Connecticut by Roslyn Jaffe. Jaffe saw the opportunity to provide wear to work dresses and clothing for the working woman during a time in the U.S. when women were entering the workforce in greater numbers and there were few options for buying more stylish and affordable workplace womens clothing.Ascena Retail Group is an American retailer of womens clothing. Ascena also owns the Maurices Justice Lane Bryant and Catherines clothing store brands and is the parent company of Ann operator of Ann Taylor and Loft stores.The first Dress Barn was opened in February 1962 in Stamford Connecticut by Roslyn Jaffe. Jaffe saw the opportunity to provide wear to work dresses and clothing for the working woman during a time in the U.S. when women were entering the workforce in greater numbers and there were few options for buying more stylish and affordable workplace womens clothing.