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EXHIBIT 12.1

MOTHERS WORK, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

			Fiscal Year Ended												Six Months Ended(2)
			Sept. 30, 2001		Sept. 30, 2000		Sept. 30, 1999		Sept. 30, 1998			Sept. 30, 1997			March 31, 2002		March 31, 2001
			(In thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes			$	6,918	$	9,297	$	6,811	$	(24,194	)	$	(10,316	)	$	13,252	$	4,797
Fixed Charges
	Interest expense		$	14,867	$	15,877	$	15,132	$	15,181		$	13,252		$	14,173	$	15,642
	Dividends on preferred stock (1)			2,259		2,105		1,895		1,770			1,648			3,288		2,183
		Total fixed charges	$	17,126	$	17,982	$	17,027	$	16,951		$	14,900		$	17,461	$	17,825
Less: Dividends on preferred stock				2,259		2,105		1,895		1,770			1,648			3,288		2,183
Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges			$	21,785	$	25,174	$	21,943	$	(9,013	)	$	2,936		$	27,425	$	20,439
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)				1.3x		1.4x		1.3x		—			0.2x			1.6x		1.1x

(1)

Dividends on preferred stock are presented on a pre-tax basis using an effective tax rate of 34%.

(2)

Data is based on results from the preceding twelve-month period.

(3)

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, earnings were $26.0 million less than needed to cover our fixed charges.

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MOTHERS WORK, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES