NEW YORK —  Limited Brands Inc.'s Bath&Body Works is latching on to the star power of Sir Elton John and his passion for candles _ in time for the holiday season.

The company announced a new collection of home fragrances _ a collaboration between the rock star and Harry Slatkin, president of Home Design for the parent company _ that makes its debut Tuesday at its Bath&Body Works stores and its White Barn Candle Co. stores. It will also be available online at bathandbodyworks.com.

Neil Fiske, CEO of Bath&Body Works expects the collection, inspired by John's country estate in England, to generate sales of $10 million in the first year, 10 percent of which will be used to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

"Clearly, this has the potential to be big,"Fiske said Tuesday, after a news conference where he was joined by the rock star and Slatkin.

The Elton John Fireside Home Fragrance Collection, ranging in price from $7.50 to $16.50, includes scented candles, scented stones and home fragrance oils. The collection is expected to be expanded to include soaps and other categories.

John, dressed in a black pinstriped suit and sporting one diamond earring, said the partnership with Bath&Body increases exposure for his foundation, which has raised $100 million since it was established in 1992.

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Last year, Bath&Body Works acquired Slatkin&Company, which has been a major force in the high-end fragrance market.

Slatkin said he became friends with John eight years ago, when the two collaborated on a line of candles, a partnership that raised a total of several hundred thousand dollars for John's foundation. John had been a big fan of Slatkin's store in Manhattan, which is now closed.

"He has a passion for candles. He is my kind of guy,"Slatkin said.

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