Ty Inc. released its Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia dolls just before Barack Obamas inauguration on January 20.

But a spokesperson for Michelle Obama said: We believe it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes.

However, the company claim the dolls were not inspired by Malia and Sasha Obama.

The incident follows criticism levelled at Michelle Obama over whose designer clothes she is wearing.

The Black Artists Association has reportedly taken the first lady to task for not wearing anything by an African-American designer.

Co-founder Amnau Eele told Womens Wear Daily, Its fine and good if you want to be We Are the World by representing all different countries.

But if you are going to have Isabel Toledo do the inauguration dress, and Jason Wu do the evening gown, why not have Kevan Hall, B Michael, Stephen Burrows or any of the other black designers do something too?