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Bradley Whitford calls Kylie Jenner's 'The Handmaid's Tale'-themed party 'tacky'

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 26: Bradley Whitford attends "Full Frontal With Samantha Bee" Not The White House Correspondents Dinner at DAR Constitution Hall on April 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TBS) 558302
Bradley Whitford calls Kylie Jenner's The Handmaid’s Tale-themed party "tacky" (Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TBS) 558302

If you’re thinking of hosting a Handmaid’s Tale-themed party maybe don’t invite Bradley Whitford.

The actor, who stars as Joseph Lawrence in the dystopian series, has criticised Kylie Jenner for organising exactly that for her best friend’s birthday.

The reality star had kitted out her house in the style of Gilead, the name of the oppressive theocracy, and had red capes and white hats for them to wear during the birthday banquet.

Whitford was asked about it during an interview on CBS' The Talk on Tuesday, and he seemed unimpressed.

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Kylie Jenner poses as a handmaid (Credit: Instagram)
Kylie Jenner poses as a handmaid (Credit: Instagram)

“I don't know... seems a little tacky,” the actor said before suggesting that the Handmaid’s costume may well have turned into something more rebellious.

“You know, that costume is so kind of iconic,” he explained, “and it’s interesting how it’s changed from initially a sort of symbol of oppression – to now, as the show is moving ahead to a symbol of resistance.”

The red and white outfit has certainly made an impact on protest culture with more and more women wearing a version while marching for women’s rights.

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 04: Protesters dressed as handmaids take part in Together Against Trump march to Parliament Square on the second day of the US President's three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on 04 June, 2019 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 04: Protesters dressed as handmaids take part in Together Against Trump march to Parliament Square on the second day of the US President's three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on 04 June, 2019 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

The Handmaid's Tale costume, first envisioned in Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name, is the uniform of women forced into surrogacy but has been spotted at protests across the world, from Argentina to Ireland, and become an image of rebellion against the oppression of women.

From the protest against Donald Trump’s UK visit to the pro-choice rallies during Ireland’s successful referendum, the red cloak and white bonnet have stood out as a feminist beacon.

Not all efforts to capitalise on its costume recognition have been approved of; last September, an online retailer stopped selling a sexy Halloween version of the outfit because of a widespread social media backlash.

The website of lingerie retailer Yandy had featured a model wearing a skimpy "Brave Red Maiden Costume," with a much shorter hemline than what the handmaids wear in the TV show.

Jenner has also received criticism for seemingly trivialising the series.

Though some people have pointed out that plenty of people host parties based on their favourite TV shows and films.

Season 3 of The Handmaid’s Tale airs Sunday nights at 9pm on Channel 4.