Elton John Has More Candles 'Than I Care to Admit' but He Still Co-Created a Collection for the Holidays (Exclusive)

Sir Elton John is adding a new moniker to his esteemed list of nicknames: Candle Man. 

The iconic singer, songwriter and pianist, 77, has partnered with renowned home fragrance entrepreneur Harry Slatkin on a festive collection of candles and diffusers just in time for the holidays. It comes by way of the Slatkin + Co. creator’s hugely popular HomeWorx brand, which is sold on QVC. 

The Elton John by Slatkin + Co. Woodside Collection (named after his home in England) introduces 37 items total. Some will make their debut Nov. 18 and others will be unveiled Nov. 23. 

“Candles have always been a passion of mine,” John tells PEOPLE exclusively. 

Particularly during the winter, he says, “There’s something so magical about a holiday scented candle filling the air with scent notes and setting an ambiance, especially at our country home Woodside at this time of year.”

John and Slatkin initially had a chance encounter when the musician was buying Slatkin’s namesake collection several years ago. 

John became “obsessed” with the high quality of the brand’s scents. From there, he says, began a “friendship bonded by a mutual passion.” 

Needless to say, when it comes to candles, today John says he has “more than I care to admit — being friends with Harry has its perks!”

Those perks include having a custom collection of “24 couture scents,” which John created. It was a gift from Slatkin and his wife, Laura, for his 50th birthday. 

“I walked into my gardens at Woodside and we magically created a scent that captured the white flowers all in bloom.”

Today, this collaboration “is a celebration of our years of friendship and shared love of home fragrance,” John says.

John adds that he “always” wanted to work with Slatkin on a collection for the holidays. Over a dinner at John’s home in the South of France, that became a reality. 

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The musician was then “very” involved in the process, he says. “Having worked together on creating scents previously, it was Harry who said we should only do it if I was personally involved, and he meant it,” John explains. “I on the other hand I couldn’t do it if it couldn’t be the scents I dreamed of.”

The collection includes a multitude of scents (inspired by interior rooms and gardens at Woodside) across several product offerings, from a 12-piece Holiday Advent Calendar ($37) and Woodside Tree Ceramic Candle ($60) to various candles in an array of sizes and vessels, plus diffusers. Another standout, the Woodside Luminary, which fits two 14 oz. Slatkin + Co. candles sold separately.

Every element is near and dear to John as “it’s all inspired by my personal holiday memories,” he says. “We worked alongside some of the greatest master perfumers, using the highest quality essential oils to deliver a fragrance experience like no other.” 

He continues, “The collection will transport you through scent to my English estate Woodside. Each scent is inspired by something deeply personal — from the magic of our English boxwood to jams made from our fruit trees, to my favorite holiday dessert. I smelled and tested every single oil until it was made into candles, both lit and unlit, providing detailed notes to make sure the scent was perfection.”

Of all of the aromas, John says his favorite is Woodside Holiday Traditions fragrance found in the 50oz Decorative Candle with a shiny metalized finish. The votive comes in black, gold, green, red and silver and retails for $80.

“I love fresh orange pomander, fir balsam, amber and cinnamon bark. These scents evoke the holidays to me! Harry was able to weave these into this one amazing scent. It reminds me of a cozy winter’s day with [husband] David [Furnish] and the children celebrating our family gatherings.”

The packaging is extra special. 

“At the outset, I wanted a modern version of a piano keyboard as the direction for the candle containers, and I’m really pleased with how perfectly it turned out — like a piece of art. The collection also features my 'E*' logo on every lid. I really hope that the fragrance notes will be music for your senses,” John says. 

The star is “thrilled” that the collection will be sold at QVC. 

“This beautiful new range is of the highest quality. Believe me, I know a lot about candles! And via QVC, we can make them available at an affordable price, so more home-fragrance-lovers can enjoy them over the holidays,” he says.

Of course, we had to ask John if he had a favorite. The task was hard as “each one reminds me of such a special holiday memory,” he shares. 

However, the English Oak and Amber candle, which is both one of the Luxe 80oz votives ($110) and within the advent calendar, does spark up the importance of friendship.

“It is inspired by a beautiful tradition between my friends and I. Each year we gift each other trees to plant on our property, creating lasting beauty for years to come. This candle was inspired by an English Oak I was gifted by a dear friend."  

To scent your space the Elton John way, he says, lighting up the Gilded Pomander, available in the Set of 2 Reed Diffusers ($44) as well as the 14oz Set of Two Candles ($55), is the move. “It is a classic scent that fills the halls of Woodside during the holidays, hung along the hallways and banisters. I love the fruity combination of blood oranges studded with cinnamon spice cloves, crisp cold eucalyptus, and fir needles.”

This season, John will spend the holidays with his family as his beloved Woodside. “I’m very excited for another holiday season there," he says. "We have such wonderful family traditions, like transforming the delicious garden fruits into a holiday marmalade — think ripe raspberries and orange peels, blended with spiced apples and vanilla sugar, slowly simmered into a sweet treat!”

The family tree will be up and decorated in all its glory, signaling that the holidays have officially arrived. I also can’t wait to be cozied up in my library, with a cup of freshly steeped English tea, seeing the first snowfall across the garden and orchards. And I’m particularly excited for some gingerbread puddling — one of my all-time favorite holiday desserts.”

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After collaborating so closely with Slatkin, John hopes this collection is just the beginning.

In the meantime, he’s excited for fans to get their hands on this collection. “I am thrilled that consumers can infuse their homes with the scents I worked on passionately to burn in my own homes, as well adding warmth and comfort for the holiday season.”

Shop the collection now.