MGA Entertainment Chief Executive Isaac Larian says Bratz dolls – which are sometimes outfitted in belly shirts, short skirts and fishnet stockings — don’t promote sex and suspects their racy reputation may be the result of a smear campaign by Mattel Inc., which makes Barbie dolls.

“This whole ’sexy’ thing is pushed on Bratz … I think it was generated by our friends at Mattel,” Larian told Reuters in an interview. “They couldn’t beat us in the market, so my guess is that they have started a negative campaign.”

Larian also lauded MGA’s policy of not signing celebrities to endorse Bratz dolls. He said the company once refused a request by beleaguered actress Lindsay Lohan to endorse Bratz.

In 2005, Mattel released the Lindsay Lohan “My Scene Barbie.”

“I don’t think it’s good to attach any celebrity to any lifestyle brand that appeals to girls or boys … You never know with these celebrities what they will do next.”

Privately-held MGA says it has sold more than 150 million of the dolls, and Larian said he sees “Bratz: The Movie” boosting demand, sending yearly sales up from anywhere between 50 and 100 percent.

Representatives from Mattel and Lohan didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.